Andy Murray torn on potential return of Russian players to Wimbledon
Andy Murray has said he will “not be going nuts” if Russian and Belarusian players are allowed to play at Wimbledon this year, despite being torn over their potential return.
Murray received the ATP’s Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for 2022 after donating more than £500,000 in prize money to help children in Ukraine affected by Russia’s invasion, but has previously said he was “not supportive” of last year’s ban.
An announcement on this year’s championships is expected soon and the three-times major winner remains conflicted. He told BBC Sport: “It’s a really difficult one and I do feel for the players who weren’t able to play last year, but I also understand the situation and why it’s really hard for Wimbledon to make a call on it as well.
“My understanding is that they are going to be allowed to play and I’m not going to be going nuts if that is the case.
But if Wimbledon went down another route, I would be understanding of that.”
Wimbledon was stripped of its ranking points and the Lawn Tennis Association fined for banning Russian and Belarusian players from the championships and the ATP Tour events at Queen’s Club, Eastbourne, Surbiton, Nottingham and Ilkley.
Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu has sparked new injury fears after withdrawing from a charity exhibition event before her opening match at Indian Wells. The 20-year-old had been due to play mixed doubles along with Cameron Norrie in the Eisenhower Cup, but organisers announced she had pulled out, without giving details.
Raducanu is scheduled to face Danka Kovinic in the first round of the Indian Wells tournament on Thursday, her first match since January’s Australian Open. The British No 1 ended her 2022 season early after suffering a wrist injury in October and also battled to overcome an ankle injury in the buildup to Melbourne.