Wimbledon removes ban on Russians and lets them play as neutrals

LONDON (AP) — Players from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete at Wimbledon as neutral athletes after the All England Club overturned its ban from last year on Friday.

Players must abide by “appropriate terms”, including not expressing support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

They must also not receive funding “from Russian and/or Belarusian states (including sponsorship of state-operated or state-controlled enterprises) in connection with their participation in the Championships,” the All England Club said in a statement. .

Other tennis tournaments allowed Russian and Belarusian players to compete as neutral athletes.

“We also consider alignment between Grand Slam tournaments to be increasingly important in the current tennis environment,” the club said. “There has been a strong and very disappointing reaction from some tennis governing bodies to the stance taken by the All England Club and the LTA last year with consequences which, if continued, would harm the interests of players, fans, championships and British Tennis.

This year’s Wimbledon tournament will begin on July 3. The women’s final is scheduled for July 15 and the men’s final on July 16.

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