Sport

Novak Djokovic says rule that bans Russian athletes is ‘crazy’

Published

1 year ago

April 22, 2022

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has slammed Wimbledon’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players saying its “crazy”

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its atrocities, the Wimbledon Organisers made the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from its tournament.

Novak Djokovic has slammed the rules as ‘crazy’.

“I will always condemn war, I will never support war being myself a child of war…As a child of war, I know what kind of emotional trauma a war leaves. Us in Serbia we know what was happening here in 1999, ordinary people always suffer – we’ve had lots of wars in the Balkans.
However, I cannot support the decision of Wimbledon, I think it is crazy. When politics interferes with sport, the result is not good.”
Novak djokovic

The Serbian endured his own experience of war when he was just 11-years-old.

Wimbledon has been quick to defend its motion though, moving in line with other Governments, sporting, and industries to condemn Russia’s actions.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club runs the Wimbledon Tournament and is standing firm on its decision, announcing it has also scrapped its broadcast deal with Russia.

This means the people of Russia will be unable to watch the tournament.

“Given the profile of the Championships in the United Kingdom and around the world, it is our responsibility to play our part in the widespread efforts of Government, industry, sporting and creative institutions to limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible,”
“In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players with The Championships.
“It is therefore our intention, with deep regret, to decline entries from Russian and Belarusian players to The Championships 2022,”
All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC)

Ukrainian tennis players Elina Monfils and Lesia Tsurenko have also responded to the ban, praising solidarity with Ukraine.

‼️💙💛🇺🇦✊🏼 pic.twitter.com/UK04g8OOh9
— Elina Monfils (@ElinaSvitolina) April 20, 2022

However, the Kremlin continues to criticise bans on its athletes in global sports calling them “unacceptable”.

The ban is the first of its kind in an elite tennis event and the ban will include world number two Daniil Medvedev.

The ATP and WTA bosses have also slammed the move by Wimbledon, saying it’s unfair and discriminatory.

“We believe that today’s unilateral decision by Wimbledon and the LTA to exclude players from Russia and Belarus from this year’s British grass-court swing is unfair and has the potential to set a damaging precedent for the game,” an ATP statement said.
“Discrimination based on nationality also constitutes a violation of our agreement with Wimbledon that states that player entry is based solely on ATP Rankings.
“Our sport is proud to operate on the fundamental principles of merit and fairness, where players compete as individuals to earn their place in tournaments based on the ATP Rankings.”
Atp statement

I feel like Ukraine would be better served if @Wimbledon donated their entire profit in support aid instead of banning the Russian and Belarusian players.
— John Millman (@johnhmillman) April 20, 2022

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Holly Stearnes

Holly is an anchor and reporter at Ticker. She's experienced in live reporting, and has previously covered the Covid-19 pandemic on-location. She's passionate about telling stories in business, climate and health.

Sport

Rafa Nadal pulls out of French Open

Published

3 weeks ago

May 19, 2023

ticker NEWS, Brittany Coles

The Spaniard has failed to regain full fitness from a hip injury sustained earlier this year

Rafa Nadal has delivered news that no tennis fan wanted to hear.

The King of Clay will miss the French Open after failing to regain full fitness from a hip injury suffered at the Australian Open back in January.

The 14-time Roland Garros winner says he expects to retire following the 2024 season.

Nadal has dominated the clay court season for close to two decades.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion fronted a widely anticipated press conference at his tennis academy in Mallorca to drop the bombshell, saying its the right thing to do for his body and personal happiness.

“I’ll look to be 100% ready for next year, which I believe will be the last year of my professional career,” Nadal told a news conference at his tennis academy in Mallorca, Spain.

“The evolution of the injury I sustained in Australia has not gone as I would have liked. I have lost goals along the way, and Roland Garros becomes impossible.”

“I’ll not establish a date for my return. I’ll see how my body responds and take it from there,” said the 36-year-old. “If I keep playing at this moment, I don’t think I can be there next year.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to come back in the highest level and compete for Grand Slams. What I will try to do is to give myself the opportunity to go back to what could be my final year competing at the highest level.”

Sport

China expresses concerns about ‘politicisation of sports’

Published

1 month ago

May 8, 2023

ticker NEWS

The East Asian nation raised the issue when Premier Li met with the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach

China has expressed concerns to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about the politicisation of sporting events.

The issue was raised when Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Thomas Bach, the head of the IOC, in Beijing over the weekend.

“China’s efforts to promote the Olympic spirit will never cease, and [China is] ready to work with IOC to oppose the politicisation of sports, and make further contributions to the Olympic movement,” Li said.

It is rare for China to raise such concerns with the IOC in public, and it was the first time it had made such comments since the Winter Olympics in Beijing early last year.

The United States and several of its allies took part in a diplomatic boycott of the Games, citing alleged human rights abuse in China’s far west region of Xinjiang.

Beijing has repeatedly denied the accusation and said it opposes any attempts to politicise sporting events.

Sport

Tasmanian AFL team becomes reality

Published

1 month ago

May 3, 2023

ticker NEWS

Tasmania will have a team in the AFL after all 18 current teams agreed to the motion

An exciting day for residents of the Australian state of Tasmania today.

Outgoing AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirming Tasmania has been granted the league’s 19th licence.

It follows the nation’s federal government confirming it will cover the $240 million shortfall to fund a new multi-purpose stadium at Macquarie Point.

This has long been viewed as Tasmania’s most significant hurdle for entry into the league.

All 18 clubs supported the state’s bid, before the AFL Commission agreed to a formal ratification.

McLachlan fronted a press conference at North Hobart Oval, alongside Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles and a whole host of players.

The CEO says the decision “will finally make [the] competitions truly national”. #trending #featured