Wimbledon lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian players, All England Club announces in statement

Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to compete at this year’s Wimbledon, the All England Club has announced. Wimbledon was the only Grand Slam last year to refuse Russian and Belarusian players from competing.

However, the All England Club has now announced that players from those countries would be able to compete as neutral athletes. Ad “Our current intention is to accept entries from Russian and Belarusian players, subject to them competing as ‘neutral’ athletes and complying with appropriate conditions,” read a statement from the All England Club.

ATP Indian Wells'Not a good look' — Medvedev opens up about 'tantrums' after Miami win3 HOURS AGO The statement added that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be prohibited from entering if they were in receipt of funding in relation to Wimbledon – including sponsorship – from either of those states or companies operated or controlled by those states. “These [conditions] will prohibit expressions of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in various forms and prohibit entry by players receiving funding from the Russian and/or Belarusian states (including sponsorship from companies operated or controlled by the states) in relation to their participation in The Championships.” The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) received a £1.4m fine from the ATP and WTA, and no ranking points were awarded from the tournament, which the All England club referenced in its statement.