Wimbledon lifts ban on Russians, Belarusians in win for reigning Australian Open champion
Wimbledon has lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, announcing they will be allowed to contest this year's All England Club major.
The likes of Russia's Daniil Medvedev and Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka, this year's Australian Open women's singles champion, were barred from competing at Wimbledon in 2022 due to Russia's war on Ukraine.
Russians and Belarusians will be allowed to feature this year "subject to competing as neutral athletes", the All England Club said in a statement.
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Former world No.1 Daniil Medvedev will be allowed to contest this year's Wimbledon tournament after the ban on Russian and Belarusian players was lifted. Getty Images
They must comply with "appropriate conditions", including not expressing support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
They must also not receive funding "from the Russian and/or Belarusian states (including sponsorship from companies operated or controlled by the states) in relation to their participation in The Championships".
"We also consider alignment between the grand slams to be increasingly important in the current tennis environment," the Wimbledon statement said.
"There was a strong and very disappointing reaction from some governing bodies in tennis to the position taken by the All England Club and the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) last year with consequences which, if continued, would be damaging to the interests of players, fans, The Championships and British tennis."
Aryna Sabalenka pictured after conquering the 2023 Australian Open. AP
Russians and Belarusians have been able to compete as neutrals outside of Wimbledon and British events, including in the three other grand slams.
Wimbledon copped fines from the ATP and WTA due to its ban.
The ATP and WTA also stripped last year's Wimbledon tournament of ranking points.
This year's Wimbledon tournament will start on July 3. The women's singles final is scheduled for July 15 and the men's singles decider July 16.
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