Wimbledon reverses stance on Russian and Belarusian athletes, lifts ban for 2023 tournament

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Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to participate at Wimbledon this year after the All England Club announced Friday that players from those countries will be eligible for competition under certain "appropriate conditions." 

Organizers released a statement confirming its reversal from last year’s decision that prohibited any player from Russia or Belarus from competing, even as a "neutral" athlete. 

 A 'The Championships' logo is seen at Centre Court during previews for the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 21, 2007, in London, England.  (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

"The option of personal player declarations was not in our view viable last year," the statement read. 

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"Since then, extensive engagement with the Government and tennis stakeholder bodies has clarified and developed the form of declarations and produced workable measures for their implementation and enforcement. This approach has the full support of the Government and the LTA , ATP, WTA and ITF." 

The statement laid out the specific conditions that players must abide by, including declaring "neutral" status. Players will also be prohibited from any "expressions of support" for Russia’s invasion, and any player receiving funding from the Russian and/or Belarusian states" will be barred from entering competition. 

Daniil Medvedev of Russia autographs a Russian flag after defeating Marcos Giron of the U.S. in their first-round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.  (AP