“Shame on you” Tennis world stunned to see Russian players who have spoken against war, get banned from Wimbledon
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Andrey Rublev writing 'No war please' on camera
The news of Wimbledon organisers planning to ban Russian athletes from this year’s Championship due to Russia’s currently atrocities in Ukraine, simply shook the internet as people are divided over the decision. However, tennis Twitter wants their favourite players to take the court at events all around the world and now with this decision, several top Russian or Belarusian players will be barred from featuring on the grass.
When the war broke out, Russian players were told to sign a document that they are not supporting the current atrocities carried out by their country on Ukraine. However, Wimbledon feels that is not enough and pushing them more may lead to more trouble as some of them still stay back in Russia and going against their leader may have their families in trouble. Earlier Ukrainian tennis stars felt that the Russians were way too silent on the entire matter as they backed Wimbledon’s decision to ban these athletes.
But starting from World 2 and US Open champion Daniil Medvedev to World No. 8 Andrey Rublev have condemned war more than once on tour publically and still they have to face such a day where they will be barred from participating at the Championships for decisions on which they hardly have any hand.
Wimbledon bans Russian players, even the ones who have spoken against war
Earlier when the war on Ukraine broke out, World No.2 and Russia’s top-ranked player highlighted how he wants peace all over the world during a press conference. Similarly, World No.8 Andrey Rublev who won his second Singles title at the Dubai Tennis Championship earlier this year came up with a heart-melting sign off message.
The Russian came up with a ‘No War Please’ plea on the camera screen as he defeated Czech Republic’s Jiri Vesely in the finals in Dubai. It was a special moment for Rublev as he took an immense risk to come out and speak in support of the Ukrainian people as it takes immense courage and heart to speak against a country’s political stance.
Russia’s No.1 WTA player Antasia Pavlyuchenkova also came on air on CNN where she expressed her horrors with war breaking out in Ukraine. Ranked 15th i the World Pavlyuchenkova also released a statement speaking against the Russian government and their recent actions. The French Open finalist has always spoke against war and her statement strongly suggests the same.
“I’ve been playing tennis since I was a kid. I have represented Russia all my life. This is my home and my country. But now I am in complete fear, as are my friends and family,” Pavlyuchenkova said on social media.“But I am not afraid to clearly state my position. I am against war and violence. Personal ambitions or political motives cannot justify violence. This takes away the future not only from us, but also from our children.
“I am confused and do not know how to help in this situation. I’m just an athlete who plays tennis. I am not a politician, not a public figure, I have no experience in this. I can only publicly disagree with these decisions taken and openly talk about it. Stop the violence, stop the war.”
Tennis twitter feels it is very unfair for the likes of Medvedev, Rublev and Pavlyuchenkova to face such bans after their actions against their leader and how they have always spoken against the war that is taking place in Ukraine. They feel that professional tennis players have no hand in making political decisions and hence the Wimbledon ban makes very little sense.
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Atrayo Bhattacharya
(193 Articles Published)