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

Published

2 years 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.

https://twitter.com/ElinaSvitolina/status/1516759567824306182?s=20&t=QTGdZjawPj2YXGMyDTjp-A

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

Up Next

Putin calls off storming of Ukraine plant

Don't Miss

Serena Williams & Sir Lewis Hamilton commit billions for ownership of Chelsea FC

Holly Stearnes

China encircles Taiwan with military drills, sparking global concern

Published

11 hours ago

October 14, 2024

ticker NEWS

Beijing’s latest show of force sends a stern warning to Taiwan, as the US urges restraint amid escalating tensions.

China deployed planes and ships to encircle Taiwan on Monday in military drills that Beijing described as a “stern warning” to what it called “separatist” forces on the island.

The exercises, dubbed Joint Sword-2024B, mark China’s fourth large-scale war game targeting Taiwan in the past two years.

Beijing, which has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, conducted these drills in the north, south, and east of Taiwan, focusing on sea-air combat readiness and blockading key ports.

Practicing an assault

The Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command said the drills also included practicing an assault on maritime and ground targets, with China’s coast guard conducting “inspections” around the island.

Taiwan condemned the exercises as “irrational and provocative,” deploying its own forces in response. The Taiwanese defence ministry stated it is fully prepared to counter any threat to its sovereignty.

The United States criticised China’s actions as “unwarranted” and warned of the risk of escalation, calling on Beijing to act with restraint. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, who has taken a firmer stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty than his predecessor, convened a high-level security meeting to address the drills, describing them as inconsistent with international law.

Tensions between China and Taiwan continue to rise, with China ramping up its military activity around the island in recent years.

News

Europe’s crossroads: confronting electoral upheaval and rising global tensions

Published

12 hours ago

October 14, 2024

Nathan Langridge, Reuters

Experts discuss the EU’s challenges and opportunities ahead

Euro Bloch is a comprehensive program designed to highlight the breadth of topics and issues within the EU political landscape. It offers insightful analysis within the evolving framework of relations between the European Union and Australia/Asia-Pacific region.

Hosted by Ticker EU correspondent, Natanael Bloch.

In this episode, Natanael interviews Professor Bruno Mascitelli about the future of the European Union following the June elections. With Ursula von der Leyen re-elected as President of the European Commission, Mascitelli discusses the challenges she may face in her second term and the growing influence of far-right and populist parties in the EU Parliament.

As Hungary takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU, concerns about its impact arise. The episode also considers the EU’s potential diplomatic role amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and identifies crucial policy areas where the EU must strengthen its stance to compete globally.