Rafael Nadal: 'Drastic' Wimbledon ban 'very unfair' on Russian and Belarusian players like Daniil Medvedev

Rafael Nadal has branded Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s tournament as ‘very unfair’. The AELTC, which organises the Grand Slam, and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), announced in April that Russian and Belarusian players will not be allowed to play in the UK this summer following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ad/> The decision means the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka will all miss out the Grand Slam this year.

Roland-Garros'I'm on time' — Nadal says he will be fit and ready for the French Open17 HOURS AGO Speaking ahead of the Madrid Open, Nadal said he understands the reason being the ban but sympathises with the players. “I think it’s very unfair of my Russia tennis mates, my colleagues,” he said. “In that sense it’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war.

“I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry for them. I wish it was not this way, but at the end of the day we know that this is what we have.

“From there onwards we will see what happens. Let’s see what happens in the next weeks, if the players will take some kind of decision in the regard.” /> Nadal believes that the decision from Wimbledon organisers was ‘drastic’ and that they weren’t obliged to ban players for the tournament. “When the government imposes some restrictions, you just have to follow them,” he added.