“Tennis focused on the commercial component” Ukrainian Tennis Federation’s Vice President uses Novak Djokovic’s example to demand a ban on Russian players
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Novak Djokovic and Evgeniy Zukin, Vice President of the Ukrainian Tennis Federation
The war between Ukraine and Russia that began on 24th February 2022 continues to be fought on for more than 3 months now causing big damages to either side with Ukraine facing the brunt of it as attempts to invade the country continue from Russia. In this situation, different institutions have taken different steps to respond to the issue in their respective capacity.
In tennis, the ATP and WTA have suspended the tennis federations of Russia and Belarus making the players from the two nations neutral athletes. While the Ukrainian Tennis Federation has demanded the players be also banned from participating in a complete boycott of Russia, apart from Wimbledon and LTA, no other tennis body has imposed a ban. As a result of the ban by Wimbledon, ATP and WTA have instead removed all ranking points from the Grand Slam this year, much to the disappointment of the Ukrainians.
“A more rigorous response is needed”: Evgeny Zukin on banning individual athletes
Evgeny Zukin, Vice President and Executive Director of the Tennis Federation of Ukraine, in his latest interview with BTU expressed his disapproval of the tennis authorities not taking strict actions against the Russians. He also condemned the players from Russia and Belarus for not taking an anti-war stance against their respective governments, something that he believed could be a positive thing for the Ukrainians.
“Of course, we raised the issue of excluding not only teams but also, if possible, individual players. But there was no great chance of his decision from the very beginning. But the war continues. Every day brings evidence of the horrific atrocities of the aggressors. All this happened from the first days of the total invasion and is still happening. Under such conditions, a more rigorous response is needed. The Tennis Federation of Ukraine has decided to support the boycott of individual athletes as well.
“During this time, they have not declared their clear position on the war in Ukraine. Personally, I think that if these tennis players expressed an anti-war position, then it would do us more good as a country than their removal. But, unfortunately, neither one nor the other happened,” said Zukin.
“Novak Djokovic did everything possible” Evgeny Zukin on the Australian Open fiasco
The whole world witnessing the debacle in Australia at the start of the year when World No.1 Novak Djokovic‘s visa was cancelled after his arrival in Melbourne to participate in the 2022 Australian Open. He was eventually deported out of the country and banned for 3 years from entering. Zukin cited the example saying the situation of Ukraine is no different as the sport focuses only on generating profits and not being morally right about it.
“For me personally, the decision of the Asia-Pacific Region not to remove the athletes of the aggressor countries was not a big surprise. Tennis, as usual, focused on the commercial component. For example, Novak Djokovic, with his resentment towards Australia, when he alone was not allowed to the Australian Open, although there were players who were also not allowed, he did everything possible to make just such a decision.
“But the fact that the ITF took points at Wimbledon also from juniors and wheelchair tennis players is, of course, a big disappointment. Thus, they supported the ATP and the WTA. I have some more information, but I will not voice it. Let’s just say that only in the general interest of a common tennis truce could this happen. I will meet, I will still talk, I will learn,” added Zukin further.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)