JAKARTA - The All England Lawn Tennis Club has finally decided to ban Russian and Belarusian tennis players from taking part in the 2022 Wimbledon tournament. This is in reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
However, this decision received opposition from Novak Djokovic. The Serbian tennis player admits that he does not condone war, but that it is unfair to ban athletes from competing.
"I will always condemn war, I will never support war because I myself am a child of war," Djokovic said.
"I know how much emotional trauma was left behind. In Serbia, we all know what happened in 1999. In the Balkans, we have had many wars in recent history."
"However, I can't support Wimbledon's decision, I think it's crazy. Players, tennis, athletes have nothing to do with (war). If politics interfere with sports, the results are not good," he continued.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club itself said it was doing so to "limit Russia's global influence in the strongest possible way." However, the men's and women's tennis associations, the ATP and WTA, also criticized the ban, saying the decision was "unfair" and "deeply disappointing."
One of the best tennis players who will miss this decision is Daniil Medvedev. In fact, the Russian tennis player is Djokovic's closest rival in the world rankings.
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