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Andrey Rublev believes that banning Russian players again from Wimbledon would be damaging to tennis. In April, the AELTC imposed player bans on Russian and Belarusian players over the war in Ukraine. Now, there is no guarantee that Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to return to Wimbledon in 2023.
“We had a meeting with the Grand Slams and the ATP. It’s really good that ATP is more open to help everyone. We were very honest, giving a lot of options, many ways to help. Really help. Because, if they ban us for the second year, we will see no changes and will be worst for tennis.
Only we make more fire in the tennis. And it doesn’t help the situation. We are offering help in any direction that is possible. We want to show that tennis can be bigger than politics,” Rublev told CLAY.
Rublev: We were open to finding solutions
According to Rublev, he tried to speak with the Wimbledon organizers and even offered solutions - but they weren’t really interested.
“So we were offering this, but they are not interested. They really don’t want to help. The government of England probably proved that for them is all about politics. They are showing that politics is more important than peace.
We can show a strong message, at least for one time, that sport can be separated from political issues. Could be a good start. I know that’s difficult, because they will always use sport to manipulate politics,” Rublev said.
The ATP and WTA have stood behind Russian and Belarusian players. Over the summer, the WTA fined the LTA and AELTC. Last week, the ATP handed the LTA a massive $1 million fine. By handing out that fine, the ATP sent out a strong message to the governing body of tennis in Great Britain.
The ATP and WTA have made it clear they are against Wimbledon banning Russian and Belarusian players from competing. According to some reports from British media, the latest actions from the ATP and WTA may force Wimbledon to change their stance and allow Russian and Belarusian players to play at The Championships in 2023.