Australian John Millman slams decision-making process that banned Russian players from Wimbledon

Australian John Millman is on the ATP Player Council and slammed UK government interference in Wimbledon’s Russian player ban.

John Millman has hit out at Wimbledon banning Russian and Belarusian players. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Australian veteran John Millman labelled Wimbledon‘s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players as “discrimination” and revealed the ATP Player Council was not even consulted until the “unilateral” decision was made.

Millman, who is a Player Council representative for the ATP men’s tour, made an impassioned and emotional plea after his opening-round loss at the French Open about the involvement of the UK government in the decision to ban players after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

He said the Russian and Belarusian players weren’t even asked if they would sign an anti-war declaration prior to the decision being made and the move “goes against what tennis is about”.

“There was an opportunity to have the Russians (and) Belarusians play (at Wimbledon),” Millman said.

“There were two options – recommendations, not even laws – given by the UK government. One, to sign a declaration and be able to play and the other one to ban them.

“Without really any consultation, a unilateral decision was made to ban players. It just goes against what tennis is about.

“I have a problem with lack of communication. The Player Council, player reps on the ATP board, hadn’t been consulted until after the decision had been made.

“The Russian and Belarusian players weren’t even asked if they’d sign the declaration prior to this decision being made. We talk about their safety. They weren’t even asked if they could sign it.

“And this is where the governance is wrong in tennis, at grand slam level. Because it should be a partnership.”

Russia's Daniil Medvedev could return to world No.1 without playing Wimbledon. Picture: by Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP

The irony of Wimbledon’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players, and then the decision from the tennis federations to remove all ranking points associated with the tournament as a result, could return world No.2, Russian Daniil Medvedev to the top ranking.

Millman said there was no question he and the players were “anti-conflict”, but the decision-making process upset them the most.

“The Russia-Ukraine conflict is terrible. My heart aches for the Ukrainian people, Ukrainian players, I hate that,” he said.

“But also I don’t like unilateral decisions.”

But Millman stopped short of declaring he would skip Wimbledon.

“Look, my old man’s flown over for it, Wimbledon’s hallowed ground, mate, a beautiful place. I love it,” Millman said.

“I’m getting older, there’s probably not going to be so many opportunities to play Wimbledon, so I think I’ll play but maybe I’ll get banned for saying this stuff.

“But I don’t like how they went about making the decision.”