Both the men's and women's players' organization ATP and WTA, respectively, have criticized Wimbledon's decision earlier on Wednesday to stop Russian and Belarusian players from this year's tournament due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Now the world setter Novak Djokovic is also among the critics.
He says he is against the war, but that it is unfair to stop individual players.
- I will always condemn war, I never support it because I myself am a child of war.
I know how much emotional trauma it entails.
We all know what happened in Serbia in 1999 and in the Balkans we have had many wars.
- But I can not support Wimbledon's decision, I think it's crazy.
Tennis players and athletes have nothing to do with it.
When politics is mixed with sports, the result is not good, says Djokovic after defeating Laslo Djere in the second round of Belgrade's ATP tournament.
The 20-time grand slam winner is only making his third tournament of the year since he was denied entry to the Australian Open in January and deported after violating the country's covid 19 rules.