Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska believes Wimbledon was right to impose a ban on Russian and Belarusian players. Last Wednesday, Wimbledon confirmed what had been speculating for weeks: this year’s edition of Wimbledon will not feature any Russian or Belarusian players.
The Wimbledon decision generated mixed reactions: some players supported it, others felt that mixing politics with sport was not a good thing, while others preferred to remain neutral.
“How could I play against these players during the tournament when the whole world is talking about the war that is going on in Ukraine? So I think the decision they made is correct. I think the decision they made is very respectful, they did the right thing. correct.
What they did for Ukraine is the right thing to do. Other (Ukrainian) players also support her.”
Players will get angry if there are no points.
Apparently, there is a possibility that the ATP and WTA decide to take points off Wimbledon this year.
The ATP and WTA have made it clear that they are not happy with Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players. “For sure if they take away points, a lot of players will start to get very angry,” Yastremska added.
Last week, Elina Svitolina and several other Ukrainian players shared a post asking Russian and Belarusian players to answer three questions.
Ukrainian players have nothing against Russian and Belarusian players participating in competitions, as long as they make it publicly known that they are absolutely against what is happening in Ukraine.
“We don’t want them to be banned completely,” Svitolina told BBC Radio 5’s Live Breakfast. “If the players don’t speak out against the Russian government, then the right thing to do is to ban them.
We just want them to talk, whether they’re with us and the rest of the world or with the Russian government. This is the main point for me. If they didn’t choose, they didn’t vote for this government, then it’s only fair that they be allowed to play and compete.”
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