Because of the war in Ukraine, Wimbledon will take place without tennis professionals from Russia and Belarus this year.

This was announced by the organizers of the most important of all four Grand Slam tournaments on Wednesday.

The Kremlin in Moscow had previously described a possible ban on activists from Russia as "unacceptable".

"We are aware that this is a tough decision for the individual athletes affected," said Wimbledon boss Ian Hewitt: "It is sad that they have to suffer from the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime."

The two-week tournament begins on June 27th.

According to the Times, after weeks of talks with the British government, the Wimbledon organizers believed that the most practical solution would be to exclude professionals from countries that are generally regarded as aggressors.

Downing Street officials had taken the approach that stars such as top Russian player Daniil Medvedev and last year's Belarusian semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka should make written statements not supporting the war actions of their home countries and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The scene had previously expected the participation of Russian and Belarusian professionals in the three remaining Grand Slam tournaments of the year based on the regular ATP and WTA tournaments.

At these events, activists from Russia and Belarus serve as neutral participants.

The world association ITF had excluded the teams from Russia and Belarus from its Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team competitions.

regulations with far-reaching consequences

The Times also reported that the Wimbledon organizers also justified their decision with the concern for the professionals concerned.

Those responsible on London's Church Road feared that the families of activists who distance themselves from the reasons and goals of the war could be exposed to reprisals from the regimes in Moscow and Minsk.

The intended exclusion regulation could therefore possibly extend to all English lawn tournaments on the ATP and WTA tour in preparation for Wimbledon.

At the French Open in Paris in May, professionals from Russia and Belarus must be strictly neutral in order to participate in the second Grand Slam tournament of the season.

ATP criticizes decision as "unfair"

The ATP players' association sharply criticized the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian players in the evening.

The decision was "unfair" and had "the potential to set a harmful precedent," said the organization responsible for men's tournaments.

There was initially no reaction from the WTA women's association.

The ATP positioned itself all the more clearly.

"Discrimination on the basis of nationality is a breach of our agreement with Wimbledon that players' participation is based solely on the ATP rankings," the players' association said.

The ATP also emphasized that players from Russia and Belarus can continue to participate in tournaments under a neutral flag.

"So far, this position has also been shared by all professional tennis," the statement said.

The ATP condemns the Russian invasion "strongly" and stands "in solidarity with the millions of innocent people affected by the war."

Sharp reactions from Russia

As reported by the Russian online sports portal “Sportexpress”, State Duma Deputy, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Sport and multiple Russian champion in paraswimming and paraathletics Sergey Burlakov criticized the decision and at the same time attacked the British government.

Accordingly, the British sports minister discredits himself and his country with the process.

“Russian tennis players will not be admitted to the Wimbledon tournament.

And that means our athletes didn't make a deal with their conscience and didn't betray their country," Burlakov said.

“One of the conditions for their participation in the competition was a mandatory statement condemning the actions of Russia in Ukraine.

These terms were announced by the UK Sport Secretary.”

Two-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion Andrei Olkhovsky told Russian internet portal Championat: “Do Russian tennis players have to play on the grass?

If there are tournaments on alternative surfaces, and in my opinion there are, then I wouldn't go on the grass at all".

And further: “My question is not aimed at Wimbledon, but at the ATP: How will they continue with the ratings if this is a compulsory tournament for which the points count?

If this is a private club that has an agreement that they will hold a tournament under the auspices of the ATP and the WTA.

I just don't know all the agreements.

In my opinion, the club has no right to decide who is allowed in and who is not.

The country can decide, but that's not acceptable for a private club," Olchowski said.