[SuperBlueSky]

London (AFP) – British tennis chiefs are set to abandon their controversial ban on Russian and Belarusian players ahead of this year's Wimbledon championships, it was reported Friday.
Full report:

Wimbledon to scrap Russia player ban - reports

British tennis chiefs are set to abandon their controversial ban on Russian and Belarusian players ahead of this year's Wimbledon championships, it was reported Friday.

www.france24.com

 

[iGOAT]

THANK GOODNESS.

 

[Varak]

It was already talked about to death. They are working with the government to possibly deny entry in the UK for the Russian players, much like Estonia did with Tallin last year. That will leave LTA with hands clean and WTA able to do fuck all with it.

 

[iGOAT]

It was already talked about to death. They are working with the government to possibly deny entry in the UK for the Russian players, much like Estonia did with Tallin last year. That will leave LTA with hands clean and WTA able to do fuck all with it.

I recently heard from a pretty reliable source (James GREY) that the government wanted to leave the decision to Wimbledon. Of course they have time to change course there, but it would surely look pretty ridiculous if the government doesn't allow Aryna to play just because.

 

[goldenlox]

IDK, Rublev is playing Medvedev Sat, you dont want those guys ruining your draw
Rybakina needs Sabalenka and Samsonova barred!!

 

[Thirdserve]

Wimbledon. Backtracking. Who would have thought ?

Of course they're probably doing this because of the possible national ban.

BUT STILL !!

That is one big blow to the credibility of the almighty Wimbledon.

And I'm loving it tbh.

 

[Queen_Of_Spray]

Just ban Cornet problem solved we don't need her blowing up more draws.

 

[Sapeod.]

If they do reverse it, then good. It was an idiotic decision in the first place that punished completely innocent players who did absolutely nothing wrong except be a particular nationality. Last time I checked, I'm pretty sure that was discriminatory.

 

[Lugaid Ó Cearbhaill]

Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone admits it. I'm glad Wimbledon recognises their idiotic decision was idiotic. Some say they may just be in cahoots with the British government to get the points back, which would be a pity, but let's wait and see.

 

[Varak]

I recently heard from a pretty reliable source (James GREY) that the government wanted to leave the decision to Wimbledon. Of course they have time to change course there, but it would surely look pretty ridiculous if the government doesn't allow Aryna to play just because.

They could also only ban Russians and let their Belarusian minions in. They're politicians, nobody knows what will fit their agenda in a few months anyway.

 

[Kerbicz]

The decision wasn't "idiotic", they tried to drag the tennis community into a system of sanctions against the contemporary Third Reich. But it should have been agreed at least with the other Grand Slam organizers, alone they didn't have any chance against Simons.

 

[Anairo84]

The decision wasn't "idiotic", they tried to drag the tennis community into a system of sanctions against the contemporary Third Reich. But it should have been agreed at least with the other Grand Slam organizers, alone they didn't have any chance against Simons.

Exactly. After all, russia didn't take part in football and volleyball world championships last year because some countries weren't afraid to speak up or threaten to boycott and somehow that decision seemed ok to most people. The same thing should have happened in tennis and I truly hope will happen at the Olympics. And I don't agree with banning just russians. This would mean lukashenka's doll would be there playing at Wimbledon and Kasatkina or Rublev wouldn't.

 

[Shifty-Eyed Dog]

Spineless worms.

 

[catgut049]

What has changed to justify a different decision from the one of last year?

It's just because we are bored of that war, and it's no longer on the front page of the newspapers?

May be someone is already blaming the Ukrainians for their brave resistance, it would be so much comfortable for us if they just surrender and let us enjoy the real values of life, as tennis on TV.

 

[CamdenRadu]

It won't be decided until much closer to the tournament and depends entirely on the situation in Ukraine at the time. Even if the tournament doesn't ban them, the government likley will. I can't see Russians playing Wimbledon this year personally, Belarusians should be able to in my opinion because their involvement isn't comparable with Russia's and there is no wide spread support in Belarus for Russia's invasion.

 

[Obi-Wan-Pierogi]

I say let Russian and Belarussian players play if they play under a 'anti-war+respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine' player coalition and vocally voice such support.

Bet you none of them would choose to play. Which tells you all you need to know.

 

[maloofhoof]

I say let Russian and Belarussian players play if they play under a 'anti-war+respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine' player coalition and vocally voice such support.

Bet you none of them would choose to play. Which tells you all you need to know.

kasatkina and rublev have spoken against the war, I think they would be okay with this

 

[maloofhoof]

but the others I don't know

 

[JoyLuckScrub]

Why are some people under the delusion that the UK govt will ban Russian players/citizens outright in lieu of Wimbledon reversing its ban? If the Tories didn't have the appetite for these measures at the height of Russophobia, it's not going to happen now that public attention and sympathies are waning.

Let's just move on and brace for the West's immediate pivot to China vis a vie Taiwan. I hope you all aren't too attached to Qinwen Zheng at this point.

 

[Obi-Wan-Pierogi]

kasatkina and rublev have spoken against the war, I think they would be okay with this

Yeah good point, Kasatkina I believe yes. Rublev, he just said he wants peace, which is very open-ended, in fact it can be used to suggest that current occupied territories remain with Russia in the interest of 'peace now'. It needs to be a stronger statement - respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

I think it's simple, if you do that, you can play, but you need to speak up. If you don't want to speak up, because you either support Z or are too afraid to speak up, well, then you don't get the privilege of playing Wimbledon (which is in the horrible decadent west that they want to nuke anyway).