Marta Kostyuk slams John Millman after he comes up with a unique take on Wimbledon’s ban on Russian players
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John Millman, Marta Kostyuk
In the advent of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Wimbledon organisers have decided to impose a ban on Russian players from this year’s Championship. The news was received with a major shock as the Wimbledon became the first tournament to carry out a straightforward ban on the Russian athletes. However, the news was welcomed with massive criticism all over the globe and even the tennis governing bodies like ATP and WTA have also condemned this decision from Wimbledon.
Australian tennis star John Millman who has not supported this decision to ban Russian players came up with a unique idea where he wants the Wimbledon organisers to donate all the money earn from this year’s Championship rather than banning players. He feels it would help the needy people who are in massive distress right now. He shared his opinion on Twitter as he wrote, “I feel like Ukraine would be better served if Wimbledon donated their entire profit in support aid instead of banning the Russian and Belarusian players.”
The current ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes will mean World No.2 Daniil Medvedev and World No.8 Andrey Rublev won’t be able to participate in the tournament. Apart from that, there are several others such as Aslan Karatsev and Russia’s No.1 WTA ranked player, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Among Belarusians, last year’s semifinalist Aryna Sabalenka and two time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka will also miss this year’s championship.
Marta Kostyuk questions John Millman’s stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk felt Millman’s tweet was inappropriate as she highlighted how Ukraine does not need money but they need freedom and peace. Kostyuk has time and again spoken against the Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his regime and feels that the Australian should do the same.
“Ukraine needs peace and freedom that we are dying for right now. Not money,” she replied to his tweet.“Anyone who thinks that decision like this one is targeting players personally is pretty selfish. Players are great part of propaganda and a big example to their fans. Silence is a betrayal,” Kostyuk added.
Then the Australian came up with clarification as he felt that the Wimbledon is doing all of this for their own benefit with the aim of good optics. But Kostyuk completely disagrees with Millman as she feels Wimbledon is doing the right thing and wants other events to follow the same path in banning the Russian and Belarusian players.
“Maybe I could have gotten my message across more clearly. I’m in total support of Ukraine and its people. I just feel like Wimbledon is doing this more for their own gain, for good optics rather than to actually help. I pray for your family,” Millman clarified.
To which Kostyuk replied in complete disagreement,“As we can all see, Wimbledon definitely didn’t get any gain so far and is facing a lot of difficulties. Nothing personal, but I hope other tournaments will act the same. Unless players speak out. Thank you.”
Marta Kostyuk has also released a statement on the same issue on her social media handles as she condemns Russia’s invasion of her homeland. she also calls out Vladimir Putin and has backed Wimbledon‘s decision of banning the players.
Coming to the tour, Marta Kostyuk has been revealed as one of the wildcards in the Women’s singles event at the Madrid Open. Whereas John Millman featured at the Serbia Open where he defeated the returning Dominic Thiem before going down to local star Miomir Kecmanovic in the round of 16 of the event.
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Atrayo Bhattacharya
(193 Articles Published)