Novak Djokovic calls Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian players 'crazy'
By Amy Woodyatt, Aleks Klosok and Anna Chernova, CNN
Belgrade Sport News
Novak Djokovic slams ‘crazy’ Wimbledon ban on Russian, Belarusian players
World number one Novak Djokovic said Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is “crazy.” Wimbledon announced on Wednesday that it had barred all Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s championships due to the invasion, which Russia calls a “special operation.” The grasscourt Grand Slam is the first tennis tournament to ban individual competitors from the two countries, meaning men’s world number two Daniil Medvedev from Russia and women’s fourth-ranked Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will be banned from the June 27-July 10 tournament. Djokovic, who grew up in war-torn Serbia, said the athletes had nothing to do with the ongoing conflict.
Djokovic criticises 'crazy' Wimbledon ban on Russians, Belarusians
Novak Djokovic hit out at the "crazy" decision by Wimbledon on Wednesday to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year's tournament over the invasion of Ukraine.
Djokovic slams 'crazy' Wimbledon ban on Russian players
World number one Novak Djokovic said Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine is "crazy".
Djokovic joins ATP and WTA in criticising Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian players
Novak Djokovic has joined the ATP and WTA in criticising Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from the tournament in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Djokovic slams 'crazy' Wimbledon ban on Russian, Belarusian players
World number one Novak Djokovic said Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine is "crazy".
Novak Djokovic criticises 'crazy' Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian players
Novak Djokovic hit out at the "crazy" decision by Wimbledon on Wednesday to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year's tournament over the invasion of Ukraine. The world number one said he disagreed with war, but said banning athletes was unfair. "I will always condemn war, I will never support war being myself a child of war," he said at the ATP event in Belgrade. "I know how much emotional trauma it leaves. "In Serbia we all know what happened in 1999. In the Balkans we have had many wars in recent history. However, I cannot support the decision of Wimbledon, I think it is crazy. "The players, the tennis players, the athletes have nothing to do with it (war). When politics interferes with sport, the result is not good."
Novak Djokovic survives scare to beat Laslo Djere in Belgrade
Novak Djokovic battled back from a set and a break down to beat Laslo Djere in his opening match of the ATP event in Belgrade on Wednesday, avoiding a third consecutive defeat. The world number one trailed 4-3 in the second set but won a dramatic encounter against his fellow Serb 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4) after three hours and 21 minutes. The 20-time Grand Slam champion is playing in just his third tournament of the season after being deported from Australia before the Australian Open over his Covid vaccination status. Djokovic also missed the Indian Wells and Miami Open events in the United States. After a surprise quarter-final exit to unheralded Czech Jiri Vesely in Dubai in February, he returned at the Monte Carlo Masters last week but lost to eventual runner-up Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his first match.