“International tennis tours are determined to be outcasts” British Government condemns ATP and WTA’s move to penalize LTA for its ban on Russian and Belarusian players
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WTA and ATP tournaments in UK (Image Credit: The Queen's Club)
The ongoing Ukraine-Russia war has divided the tennis world and pitted the major tennis associations against each other. After Russia decided to invade Ukraine in February, the world was quick to condemn the action. The ATP and WTA together decided to boycott Russia and Belarus and ban these countries and their players from participating and playing in the Davis Cup 2022 and Billie Jean King Cup 2022 tournaments.
As a result, the Russian players could not defend their titles in both competitions. But the UK Government went a step further by banning Russian and Belarusian players from participating and playing in any of the tournaments in the United Kingdom. This resulted in Russian and Belarusian players not playing in the ATP and WTA tournaments and also not in the prestigious Wimbledon and the Laver Cup.
With the end of the Ukraine-Russia war not seen as likely, the prospect of the UK Government banning Russian and Belarusian players again is looming large. The Culture Secretary of the United Kingdom, Michelle Donelan has commented on this issue.
“Over the past year, the vast majority of the international sporting community have stood shoulder to shoulder in condemning Putin’s unprovoked and barbaric actions in Ukraine. The UK has taken a world-leading role to build this international response. We are clear that sport cannot be used to legitimise this deadly invasion, and that athletes representing the Russian or Belarusian states should be banned from competing in other countries,” she said as reported by the British daily The Express.
There is no quick fix to this issue. However, all the important tennis organizations and players must come together to find an amicable solution to this problem.
British LTA may face financial constraints
The decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from participating in important tournaments in the UK did not go down well with the ATP. The organization had decided to fine the British Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) £164 thousand ($200 thousand) for each of the five ATP grass-court events organized in the UK. Now, WTA has also decided to fine £800 thousand ($1 million) for banning Russian and Belarusian players from participating in the tournaments organized in British territory.
However, she is also concerned with how this move of fining the LTA could have an impact on the financial resilience of the tennis association. She also condemned the move of both the players’ associations.
“Despite widespread condemnation, the international tennis tours are determined to be outcasts in this, with investment in the growth of our domestic game hampered as a result. This is the wrong move by the ATP and WTA. I urge them to think carefully about the message this sends, and to reconsider,” Michelle Donelan stated.
The LTA would have to grapple with financial uncertainties and lower revenues in the upcoming season if the situation does not change. It may affect its organizational capability of organizing comparatively smaller tennis competitions in the UK which can affect the growth of the sport in the United Kingdom.
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