Novak Djokovic accused of being 'especially inappropriate' over Wimbledon ban stance

Novak Djokovic has been slammed for his comments on Wimbledon's ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes. The world No 1 condemned the move to bar players from the two nations and has now been told his stance is "especially inappropriate" by a top Russian chess player.

Djokovic was one of many players who came out to criticise Wimbledon for their decision to ban all Russian and Belarusians from The Championships this year, calling it "crazy". But the world No 1 has now been accused of being "inappropriate" for his view.

"Russia may play by ranking, but they kill by nationality," Garry Kasparov, the Russian World Chess Champion tweeted in response to Djokovic's remarks. "Russian athletes who do not condemn Putin's war of extermination in Ukraine are supporting it with silence."

Turning his attention to the 20-time Major champion, he added: "And a Serb failing to do so is especially inappropriate, considering history." Djokovic has branded the ban an act of "discrimination" as he touched on his experiences growing up in the war in Serbia.

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"I will always be the first one to condemn the war. As a child of war, I know what kind of emotional trauma a war leaves. Us in Serbia, we know what was happening here in 1999," he told reporters in Belgrade. "Ordinary people always suffer - we've had lots of wars in the Balkans. That being said, I cannot support the Wimbledon decision."

Claiming that politics shouldn't be brought into tennis, he continued: "It's not the athletes' fault. When politics interfere with sport, it usually doesn't turn out well. I personally believe there's no need to suspend Russian players.

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