Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal rip Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian, Belarusian players: 'Very unfair'

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal took issue with Wimbledon banning Russian and Belarusian players from the second tennis major event of the season over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and Belarus siding with the Kremlin.

No. 2 men’s player Daniil Medvedev, current U.S. Open men’s singles champion, is among those affected by a ban. Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 4 women's player who is from Belarus, is also banned.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Daniil Medvedev of Russia returns a shot to Hubert Hurkacz of Poland during the Miami Open on March 31, 2022, in Florida. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

"I think it’s very unfair of (on) my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues ... it’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war," Nadal said in Spain, where he and the Serbian tennis star are getting ready to play at the Madrid Open.

He added: "I’m sorry for them. Wimbledon just took their decision ... the government didn’t force them to do it. Let’s see what happens in the next weeks, if the players will take some kind of decision in that regard."

NOVAK DJOKOVIC CAN PLAY AT WIMBLEDON; NO VACCINATION REQUIRED

Rafael Nadal pauses during a training session at the Mutua Madrid Open in Spain, April 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Djokovic compared the situation to when he was banned from the Australian Open and the country of Australia for not being vaccinated against the coronavirus.

"It’s not the same thing, but going through something similar earlier this year for myself, it’s frustrating knowing that you’re not able to play. I still stand by my position that I don’t support the (Wimbledon)