Wimbledon Lifts Ban, These Two Russian Tennis Players Are Happy

Russian Tennis Player Daniil Medvedev (Photo by Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP) (AFP / CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT)

JAKARTA - Wimbledon's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete was welcomed by world number five Daniil Medvedev.

"I'm happy to know this. I've always said that if I could play at Wimbledon, I would love to be there," Medvedev said, quoted by AFP, Saturday.

Previously, Medvedev reached his fifth ATP final in a row with a three-set win over fellow Russian player Karen Khachanov in the semifinals of the Miami Open, just hours after the All England Club decision.

"It was a tournament I love. That's the only Slam I've never played in the quarter-finals. And I can't say I hate grass. I love it. So I really want to do well there. It's a beautiful tournament. And I'm happy to have the opportunity to play this year," added Medvedev.

Wimbledon last year banned tennis players from Russia and Belarus, allied with Moscow after the invasion of Ukraine, and the United Kingdom Tennis Association (LTA) also banned players from competing in other events.

In other events, players can compete on tours as neutral players, including in other Grand Slams.

Tennis Players from both countries will be able to take part in the Grand Slam in July if they compete as "neutral" athletes and meet certain requirements.

Tennisists will be barred from expressing their support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and those receiving funds from Russian or Belarusian countries, including sponsors of state-operated or state-controlled companies, will remain banned.

Medvedev said it would not be a problem for him.

"No, not at all, I don't have a Russian sponsor, and I will play there like we played all year ago, every other tournament is honest, and once again I will be happy to be there," Medvedev said as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, April 1.

Meanwhile, other Russian tennis players Khachanov were also happy with the news, although they didn't notice it until the game was over.

"All the Russian players said earlier that we really wanted to play there and I played in the quarter-finals and I was in the last eight clubs. It was a very, very great and special event in tennis history so that's why I'm so happy... that we will be able to play this year," Khachanov said.

Khachanov said that this condition was not an obstacle for him because it was similar to how they competed on the ATP and WTA tours.

"I think we're just following the rules. I think this is what we're doing now, right? There's neutrality, there's been no flag since last year, the end of February, so basically we're continuing to do the same thing as all other tournaments. I don't think anything is different. I don't have a sponsor in Russia now, so that's how it is," he concluded.