I don’t support banning players
ANDY UNEASY OVER SW19 ACTION
are “getting murdered and killed and raped” in Ukraine.
The All England Club member said: “It’s an unbelievably complex situation. I don’t think there’s a right answer.
“I don’t support one side or the other. I’m not supportive of players getting banned.”
Rafa Nadal yesterday called the ban “unfair” while Novak Djokovic compared the exclusion to his January deportation from Australia.
World No.1 Djokovic said: “Going through something similar this year for myself, it’s frustrating knowing that you’re not able to play.”
But, speaking before his first clay-court match for 18 months, against Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Masters today, the Scot’s voice trembled with emotion as he gave a more nuanced view.
The double Wimbledon champion said: “I have spoken to some of the Russian players, I’ve spoken to some of the Ukrainian players. I feel really bad for the players who aren’t allowed to play and I get that it will seem unfair to them.
“I’m friendly and close with some of them and I feel bad for them.
“But I also know some of the people who work at Wimbledon as well. They do care about the players.
“The guidance from the Government was not helpful because my understanding of the guidance was that Russians and Belarusians can play if they sign a declaration that they’re against the war and the Russian regime.
“I’m not sure how comfortable I would feel if that was a decision that was taken because if something happened to one of the players or their families, that’s not good either.”
But Murray added: “People are forgetting about the reasons why Wimbledon or sports are in this situation, and it’s because there is a war going on in Ukraine and there are people getting murdered and killed and raped. So it’s a really difficult one. I feel for Wimbledon, the players and for everyone that’s affected by it in Ukraine and around the world.”
The world No.81 is playing here in Madrid for the first time since 2017 after originally deciding to skip the clay-court season.
Wild-card Jack Draper beat world No.27 Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 6-3 while fellow Brit Dan Evans saw off Federico Delbonis 6-3 6-4.