“My heart is torn” Martina Navratilova breaks down during an interview discussing the ban on Russian and Belarusian players from Wimbledon
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Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Martina Navratilova
The most decorated Wimbledon singles champion, Martina Navratilova becomes the latest person to opine on the ban by Wimbledon and LTA on Russian and Belarusian players from playing in all Grass events in the UK including the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.
This decision comes in the light of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and with Belarus supporting Russia, they are also being punished by the Grand Slam for their hand in the war that has been going on for nearly 2 months now. The ban was announced yesterday, prior to the annual press conference of Wimbledon next week.
Martina was invited by the LBC to give her opinions on the ban and the 9-time champion was affected by the decision immensely and although it was a telephonic interview, one could make out that the tennis great was choking up while speaking about the entire thing.
“I understand the banning of teams, of course, of representing the countries, but on an individual level, I just think it’s wrong. I remember in the days of apartheid, South African players would compete but South Africa could not be represented, and that regime was no better than what’s happening now. My heart is torn because I cannot imagine what it is like for the Ukrainian players to be dealing with this. Svitolina has issues with her back and I’m pretty sure it is attached to the emotions she is feeling.
“It’s devastating because as a player growing up, Wimbledon is one of the events they really want to play. Now with something that is completely beyond their control, Sabalenka could have won the tournament last year, Medvedev is definitely one of the players in contention for the title,” said Martina voicing support for players from both Ukraine and Russia but at the same time denouncing the ongoing war.
“It is a big ask of the players” Martina Navratilova on the request by Wimbledon
Speculations had arisen a few weeks ago that the Russian players would have to prove that they are in no way connected to Russian President Vladimir Putin and would have to publicly announce it in order to be able to play in the Championships this year. However with the ban in place now, that door has also been most likely closed.
“As a player growing up, [Wimbledon] is the one you dream about the most. And not being allowed to play, because of politics, unless you denounce your country and leave, and risk your family’s well being as well as your own, maybe never to be able to return to Russia, is a big ask of the players,” added Martina further.
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Sarthak Shitole
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