Wimbledon lifts ban on Russian players, allows them to compete as neutral athletes

Aryna Sabalenka (Image credit: Twitter)

Russian and Belarusian players will be able to compete as neutral athletes at Wimbledon after the All England Club reversed a ban imposed last year in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The latest move will see players sign declarations of neutrality and comply with "appropriate conditions," including not expressing support for Russian invasion.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision, not taken lightly or without a great deal of consideration for those who will be impacted," All England Club chairman Ian Hewitt said.

He added that players must not receive funding “from the Russian and/or Belarusian states (including sponsorship from companies operated or controlled by the states) in relation to their participation in The Championships."

The latest decision means Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Russian players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev could compete in the most prestigious event.

In response to reports that other tennis tournaments had allowed Russian and Belarussian players to compete as neutral athletes, the All England Club stated: "We also consider the alignment between the Grand Slams to be increasingly important in the current tennis environment."

Same conditions will apply for LTA tournaments, club said

The club also clarified that the same conditions will apply for Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) tournaments used by players as grass-court warmups.

"There was a strong and very disappointing reaction from some governing bodies in tennis to the position taken by the All England Club and the LTA last year with consequences which, if continued, would be damaging to the interests of players, fans, The Championships and British tennis," the club said.

This year's Wimbledon tournament is scheduled to begin on July 3. The women's final will take place on July 15, and the men's final on July 16.

The All England Club stated that the conditions were developed through discussions with the British government, the LTA, and international tennis stakeholder bodies. The LTA has also confirmed that players and support staff will be required to sign neutrality declarations similar to those used in other sports.