ATP slams Wimbledon's 'unfair' ban of Russian and Belarusian players

Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year's tournament has been slammed as "unfair" by men's tour organisers the ATP. All England Club chiefs on Wednesday revealed their move in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Read AlsoRussian, Belarusian players barred from Wimbledon

Tennis players from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at this year's Wimbledon due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the Grand Slam's organisers All England Lawn Tennis Club said. "We recognise that this is hard on the individuals affected, and it is with sadness that they will suffer

But ATP bosses claim the ban, which extends to all Lawn Tennis Association events in Britain, is discriminatory and sets a damaging precedent. "We believe that today's unilateral decision by Wimbledon and the LTA to exclude players from Russia and Belarus from this year's British grass-court swing is unfair and has the potential to set a damaging precedent for the game," an ATP statement said.