“Such actions will incite hate and intolerance on the ethnic ground,” Belarusian Tennis Federation slams Wimbledon ban
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Following Wimbledon‘s ban on Russian and Belarusian players, the Belarusian Tennis Federation officials raised questions and accusations of incompetence and ignorance as they strongly opposed the decision of barring the players from the Championships his year. The Belarusian Tennis Federation (BTF) feels that this decision of banning the players from the two nations will only incite more hatred and intolerance.
Wimbledon on Thursday came up with an official release stating their intention of banning Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s Championships due to Russia’s ongoing atrocities against Ukraine. The United Kingdom are a friend of Ukraine and this is apparently their way of showing support to their ally.
“The Belarusian Tennis Federation categorically condemns the decision of the Wimbledon organizers to suspend the Belarusian and Russian tennis players,” BTF said in a statement on Thursday. “Such destructive actions in no way contribute to the resolution of conflicts, but only incite hatred and intolerance on ethnic grounds.”
“The unlawful decisions of the international tennis organizations concerning our tennis players undermine … the reputation of these organizations,” the BTF said. “BTF management is still consulting with international law firms on sports law and developing a strategy that is aimed primarily at protecting Belarusian tennis players around the world and tennis in the Republic of Belarus in general.”
Following the decision, the Wimbledon authorities have received mixed opinions as ATP and WTA have condemned the call. Recently World No.8 Andrey Rublev called the move entirely discriminatory and illogical as he was ready to donate all of his prize pool earned from the tournament to Ukraine but still was not able to strike a bargain. Players all around the world have mostly spoken against the decision including World No.1 Novak Djokovic who feels that individuals should not suffer for the actions of their country and its government.
Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka will potentially miss out on the Wimbledon due to the ban on Belarusian players
The Wimbledon ban on players will mostly affect World No.4 and last year’s semifinalist Aryna Sabalenka and two time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka among Belarusian players. Apart from that, there is a long list of Russians starting from World No.2 Daniil Medvedev, World No.8 Andrey Rublev, Russia No.1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and several others like Aslan Karatsev and Karen Khachanovic.
The All England Tennis Club has released a statement about how this decision is taken on the basis of showing their support to Ukraine and apparently they claim this is something that the people in the United Kingdom want to happen. However, the fans are mostly had at the call as they will miss out on some of their favourite players this summer on grass. But the All England Tennis Club have softened their stance a bit as they have suggested rethinking its ordeal if things between Russia and Ukraine improve in the coming weeks.
Both Sabalenka and Azarenka are currently looking forward to the upcoming Roland Garros. The World No 4 is currently featuring at the WTA Stuttgart Open and is also through to the quarterfinals where she will face Spain’s Paula Badosa. However, Victoria Azarenka is taking a hiatus and will soon make a comeback ahead of the Roland Garros.
Also Read: It’s discrimination against us: Andrey Rublev labels Wimbledon ban as ‘injustice’
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Atrayo Bhattacharya
(193 Articles Published)