LONDON: The decision to bar Russian and Belarusian players from Wimbledon over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine will incite “hatred and intolerance”, the Belarus Tennis Federation (BTF) said, adding that they are seeking legal advice on the ban.

The grasscourt major announced on Wednesday that Russian and Belarusian competitors would be banned from this year’s tournament. Belarus is a key staging area for the invasion, which Russia calls a “special military operation”.

“The Belarusian Tennis Federation categorically condemns the decision of the Wimbledon organizers to suspend the Belarusian and Russian tennis players,” BTF said in a statement on Thursday. “Such destructive actions in no way contribute to the resolution of conflicts, but only incite hatred and intolerance on ethnic grounds.”

The decision means that Belarusian players including fourth-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka will not be able to compete at the June 27-July 10 tournament.

The BTF also criticised initial UK government plans to force Russian and Belarusian players to sign statements condemning the war as a pre-condition of being allowed to play at Wimbledon.

This showed “incompetence and ignorance”, they said.

“Illegal decisions of international tennis organisations in relation to our athletes undermine, first of all, the reputation of these organisations, and the inconsistency of statements and actions between them only confirm the incompetence and unilateral decision-making,” the BTF added.

“BTF management is still consulting with international law firms on sports law and developing a strategy that is aimed primarily at protecting the Belarusian tennis players around the world and tennis in the Republic of Belarus in general.”

The All England Lawn Tennis Club’s (AELTC) decision has been criticised by the ATP and WTA Tours, though it said it would “consider and respond accordingly” if circumstances change between now and June.

On Friday, Olympic champion Alexander Zverev joined the chorus of criticism against the decision by the organisers of Wimbledon.

The 25-year-old Zverev, currently ranked third in the world, said he sees “no reason why” players from Russia or Belarus “shouldn’t play in Wimbledon”.

At the moment, players representing the two countries are allowed to take part in ATP and WTA events but are barred from competing under the name or flag of their countries.

Zverev says “it’s absolutely correct” that Russian and Belarussian teams are banned from tennis competitions.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has already barred both countries from the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup.

“That is something against Russia, I understand that,” added Zverev as he prepares for next week’s ATP tournament in Munich. “I think we are all against the war, what is happening in Ukraine is inhumane and shouldn’t be happening.”

Zverev was born in Hamburg to Russian parents.

He stood up for his close friend, Russia’s Andrey Rublev, who on Thursday blasted the decision by Wimbledon officials as “complete discrimination”.

The decision means Rublev as well as players like compatriot and world number two Daniil Medvedev sit out the June 27-July 10 tournament.

“I have spoken to Andrey,” said Zverev, who pointed out Rublev has already taken a stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

At the Dubai tournament in February, Rublev had scribbled “No war please” on a courtside TV camera after a victory.

“He [Rublev] is also ready to help Ukraine,” added Zverev. “He is ready to oppose the war, he is ready to send his prize money to Ukraine.”

Likewise, US tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King, a founder of the WTA in 1973, also spoke out against the decision.

“I cannot support the banning of individual athletes from any tournament, simply because of their nationality,” she said.

Ukraine’s top female player Elina Svitolina had said she feels that Russian and Belarusian players who do speak out against the invasion “should be allowed” to compete at Wimbledon.

“We don’t want them banned completely,” Svitolina said in an interview with the BBC on Thursday. “If players don’t speak out against the Russian government then it is the right thing to ban them.

“We just want them to speak up, if they are with us and the rest of the world or the Russian government. This is for me the main point.

“If they didn’t choose, didn’t vote for this government, then it’s fair they should be allowed to play and compete.”

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2022