After the time of decisions, that of explanations for the organizers of the next Wimbledon tournament. A week after announcing that Russian and Belarusian players would not be admitted this year, the British justified their position with the voice of the president of the All England Club, Ian Hewitt. According to him, players from the two banned countries would have been obliged, to participate in the Grand Slam tournament, to complete “ a written declaration » (against the invasion in Ukraine). “ This request could have put players and their families at risk“, suggested Ian Hewitt, specifying that this condition was imposed by the British government. “ We believe we made the most responsible decision possible and that there was no other option, he confided Tuesday April 26. We also risked their success or participation being used by Russian propaganda, which we would not have accepted.“. As a reminder, Russia and Belarus were banned by the ITF from the two team events where players are involved in a national selection, the Davis Cup and the Bille Jean King Cup. Everywhere else, with the exception of the next Wimbledon tournament, Russians and Belarusians are still authorized to participate under a neutral banner.
