Wimbledon backs down on Russia ban

The global governing body for men’s tennis has fined Britain’s LTA almost $1.5m for banning Russian and Belarusian players following the invasion of Ukraine.

Daniil Medvedev (right) is among the Russian players banned from Wimbledon in 2022 due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Picture: AFP

Wimbledon is poised to lift its ban on Russian players next year after British tennis was threatened with expulsion from the ATP Tour.

The ATP, the global governing body for men’s tennis, has fined the Lawn Tennis Association $US1m ($1.49m) for banning Russian and Belarusian players from five tournaments during the summer because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It has also threatened to remove the LTA’s membership for any repeat ban.

Sources close to the All England Club say that a concern before this year’s championships was that a Russian or Belarusian player could make a political gesture supporting the invasion, such as the “Z” T-shirt worn by one Russian gymnast.

However, given that all the players from those countries have been participating on the ATP and Women’s Tennis Association tours as neutrals without any such demonstrations, the feeling is there is little chance they would do so in the UK.

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan is presented with the trophy by HRH Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge after victory against Ons Jabeur in the ladies' singles final in 2022. Picture: Getty Images

Wimbledon will have to make a final decision by April and will also take into account what is happening in Ukraine at that time, but it is also aware that another ban could have an impact on the LTA, which would feel the need to follow suit. Potential government resistance is the main obstacle to readmitting Russian and Belarusian athletes.

The ATP fined the LTA $200,000 for each tournament ban - Queen’s Club and Eastbourne plus the Challenger events at Surbiton, Nottingham and Ilkley - and the LTA has said it is “deeply disappointed”. Its latest annual turnover was £59.3m ($107.6m) but its grassroots funding from Sport England is only £2.1m, so the fine will have a significant impact.

Russians and Belarusians were also banned from Wimbledon but it is understood that the ATP does not have the jurisdiction to fine the All England Club.

The LTA has already appealed against a $1m fine imposed by the WTA for the ban on female Russians and Belarusians.

An LTA spokesman said: “The LTA is deeply disappointed with this outcome. The ATP, in its finding, has shown no recognition of the exceptional circumstances created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or the international sporting community and UK government’s response to that invasion.

“The ATP appears to regard this matter as a straightforward breach of their rules - with a surprising lack of empathy shown for the situation in Ukraine, and a clear lack of understanding of the unique circumstances the LTA faced.

Belarusian players such as Aryna Sabalenka were also banned in 2022. Picture: AFP

“The financial impact of both this fine and the WTA’s fine will have a material impact on the LTA’s ability to develop and host tennis in this country. For example, we had intended to host a number of ATP Challenger-level events to give more opportunities to lower-ranked players in the first quarter of 2023 and will now not be able to do this, particularly given the possibility of further fines. We will carefully consider our response and we await the outcome of our appeal against the WTA’s decision and sanction.”

There is also frustration inside the LTA that ATP players can play in Russian exhibition events without sanction, while the new United Cup mixed-gender team tournament being played in Australia next month will earn ATP ranking points despite excluding Russian players.

The ATP has said it will put the fine towards support for humanitarian relief in Ukraine.

Michelle Donelan, the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, criticised the move by the tours.

She said: “Over the past year, the vast majority of the international sporting community have stood shoulder to shoulder in condemning Putin’s unprovoked and barbaric actions in Ukraine.

“The UK has taken a world-leading role to this international response. We are clear that sport cannot be used to legitimise this deadly invasion, and that athletes representing the Russian or Belarusian states should be banned from competing in other countries.

“Despite widespread condemnation, the international tennis tours are determined to be outcasts in this, with investment in the growth of our domestic game hampered as a result.

“This is the wrong move by both the ATP and WTA. I urge them to think carefully about the message this sends, and to reconsider.”

- The Times