Nadal, Djokovic slam Russian ban at Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on Sunday criticized Wimbledon’s decision to exclude players from Russia and Belarus from taking part in this year’s event after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I think it’s very unfair of my Russian tennis mates. It’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war,” Nadal said in Spain, where he and Djokovic are preparing to play in the Madrid Open.

The ATP and WTA tours have publicly criticized the All England Club’s decision announced April 20. Wimbledon starts June 27.

The prominent players affected by the ban include Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who are all from Russia. Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, which has aided Russian forces, also would be unable to play.

Naomi Osaka and Garbine Muguruza lost at the Madrid Open on a day of upsets in the clay-court event. Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo beat Osaka 6-3, 6-1 in the second round. Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina brushed aside Muguruza 6-3, 6-0 . ... Holger Rune, 19, won the BMW Open final in Munich for his first ATP Tour title after Botic van de Zandschulp retired because of chest pains . ... Sebastian Baez won 6-3, 6-2 over American Frances Tiafoe to win the Estoril Open in Portugal.