Camila Sosa
The All England Club’s decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian tennis players from this 2022 Wimbledon has stirred the world of tennis, causing divided opinion among many tennis players.
One of the many who disagreed with the sanction was Rafael Nadal, who made some comments on the matter before his return to action at the Madrid Open.
I think it’s very unfair (on) my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues. In that sense it’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war. I’m sorry for them. I wish it was not this way.
Rafael Nadal
This caused the ire of one of his former colleagues, Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky, who joined the ranks of the Ukrainian military defending his country from Russian invasion. Beyond the work he is currently doing, Sergiy had time to respond via social networks to Nadal’s comments, and was quite critical of what the Spaniard said.
We competed together… we’ve played against each other on tour. Please tell me how it is fair that Ukrainian players cannot return home? How is it fair that Ukrainian children cannot play tennis? How is it fair that Ukrainians are dying?
Sergiy Stakhovsky on Twitter
The actions taken by the All England Club against Russian tennis players at Wimbledon may not be entirely surprising after all, considering the sanctions imposed by the British government on Russia after the conflict in Ukraine broke out. Nadal commented that that was already expected, and that the government only gave a recommendation, but Wimbledon made the most drastic decision they could have made considering they were not forced to do anything.
What Are the Thoughts of other Russian Tennis Players on the Decision for Wimbledon?
Rafael Nadal was not the only well-known tennis player who disagreed with the decision. Other sports stars such as Novak Djokovic, Martina Navratilova and even Britain’s Andy Murray have shown their dissatisfaction with the decision to exclude their colleagues.
Djokovic compared the situation to what happened to him in January, when he missed the Australian Open and was deported for not being vaccinated against Covid-19.
It’s not the same thing, but going through something similar earlier this year for myself. it’s frustrating knowing that you’re not able to play. I still stand by my position that I don’t support the (Wimbledon) decision. I think it’s just not fair. It’s not right, but it is what it is.
Novak Djokovic
Some players affected by this exclusion include reigning U.S. Open champion Danill Medvedev, French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and another recognized tennis player of the circuit, Andrey Rublev.
