Nadal slams Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON could get awkward this year as the biggest names in tennis criticise the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players.

A week after Novak Djokovic slammed the move – which the All England Club said was to show solidarity with Ukraine – Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have added their opposition to the move.

Nadal described Wimbledon’s position as “unfair” and “the most drastic option”, before calling for the ban to be overturned.

The ban rules out players including men’s world number two Daniil Medvedev and last year’s women’s semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus.

“It’s unfair for my Russian colleagues,” said Nadal, a 21time grand slam champion. “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, but at the end of the day we know that this is what we have.”

Nadal, who is returning at the Madrid Masters after a sixweek hiatus with a rib injury, said he and his fellow players might have to take a stand.

“Let’s see what happens in the coming weeks and let’s see if we as players need to take a stand,” he said. “There is something wrong.”

Nadal also criticised Wimbledon for going beyond their remit.

“When a government orders something, you need to follow the rules,” he said. “In this case, the government issued a recommendation and Wimbledon decided to impose the most drastic option without being forced to do so.”

Both the ATP and WTA said they would consider sanctions against Wimbledon if the ban was held. This could involve withholding ranking points from the tournament, rendering Wimbledon near futile.

“We know that Slams are outside the ATP, but as ATP we grant them the most points of all events,” Nadal said.

“They are the most important. The 2000 points, whenever we go to the Grand Slams, they are really important and we have to go to those tournaments. So we will have to see the measures that we take, and it’s very unfair thing for them, for sure.”

Murray meanwhile was a little more diplomatic.

“My take is that it’s an unbelievably complex situation,” he said.

“I have spoken to some of the Russian players, to some of the Ukrainians. I feel really bad for the players who aren’t allowed to play and I get that it will seem unfair to them. But I also know some of the people who work at Wimbledon as well and I know how difficult a situation they were in as well.”

Djokovic meanwhile said he had not been in contact with anyone from the ATP Tour but understood that discussions were under way to explore ways to counter Wimbledon’s decision.

The Serbian star has missed some of the biggest events so far this season, including the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami, due to his Covid vaccination status.

“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,” the 20time Grand Slam champion said.

“I still stand by my position that I don’t support the decision. I think it’s just not fair, it’s not right, but it is what it is.”