Russian tennis star slams Wimbledon ban as ‘illogical’ & ‘discriminatory’

Published

4 years ago

April 25, 2022

Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev has slammed Wimbledon’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players saying it’s illogical and discriminatory

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

“To be honest, the reasons that they give, there is no meaning, there is no logic for what they propose…
“The things that happen now are complete discrimination of us.”
Andrey rublev

“Banning Russian or Belarusian players will not change anything. To give all the prize money would have a more positive effect to humanitarian help, to the families who are suffering, to the kids who are suffering. I think that would do something.”
Andrey rublev

The tennis star has previously written ‘no war please’ on the camera post-match, to show his stand against Russia’s actions.

❤️@AndreyRublev97 pic.twitter.com/Ul9Hg8SRvS
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 25, 2022

The Kremlin continues to criticise bans on its athletes in global sports calling it “unacceptable”.

The Belarusian Tennis Federation also released a statement saying the ban only encourages ‘hatred and intolerance on the basis of nationality’.

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

The ban is the first of its kind in an elite tennis event.

https://twitter.com/AndreyRublev97/status/1495509085957074946?s=20&t=ps1JYog85mlyjiy3YRlbDg

Serbian final

This comes as world number one Novak Djokovic concedes the win to Rublev.

Djokovic has publicly slammed the rule that bans Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at Wimbledon.

The world number one had nothing but words of support for the Russian after a tough fight in Serbia.

“Belgrade and Serbia love you. Please come back to defend your title.”
Novak djokovic

https://twitter.com/SerbiaBased/status/1518285241072459776?s=20&t=ps1JYog85mlyjiy3YRlbDg

https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1518242377475010560?s=20&t=ps1JYog85mlyjiy3YRlbDg

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