Wimbledon organizers announced that Russian and Belarusian players will not be allowed to compete at this year's grand slam following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Following the February 24 invasion, tennis governing bodies banned Russia and Belarus from international team tournaments. Ukrainian tennis players Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk published comments demanding a nationwide ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in international competitions ahead of Wednesday’s announcement. Russian and Belarusian athletes will be barred from playing at Wimbledon because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’ support of the war. Last month, British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston stated he would not be happy if a Russian athlete wearing the Russian flag won Wimbledon in London.

Source: New York Times April 20, 2022 17:31 UTC