Wimbledon: Why were Russians and Belarusians banned last year but allowed to compete in 2023?

Russian and Belarusian players were banned from Wimbledon in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine but they will be allowed to compete as neutrals this year after the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) lifted its ban.

Wimbledon was the only Grand Slam to bar players from both countries, marking the first time they were banned on the grounds of nationality since the immediate post-World War Two era when German and Japanese players were excluded.

Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and used Belarus as a staging ground for troops and weapons, leading several sports bodies to ban their teams and officials from official competitions.

While the French Open allowed them to compete, Wimbledon announced the ban on players from both countries in April 2022, sparking swift condemnation by the men's ATP Tour and women's WTA Tour as well as several players.

But the AELTC stood by its decision, saying it was in line with the UK government's efforts to "limit Russia's global influence".

The AELTC added that it did not want to risk Russian or Belarusian success at Wimbledon to "benefit the propaganda machine of the Russian regime".

Novak Djokovic said the decision to ban the players was a mistake while Rafa Nadal labelled the ban as 'very unfair' as top-ranked players could not compete.

At the time, Daniil Medvedev of Russia was world number two and the reigning U.S. Open champion while Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus was ranked number four in the world.

STRIPPED OF POINTS

Wimbledon's decision invited the wrath of the ATP and WTA Tours, which called the move discriminatory and stripped the Grand Slam of its ranking points.

The move effectively reduced the world's most prestigious tennis tournament to an exhibition