Andy Murray ‘not supportive’ of Wimbledon ban of Russian players

Andy Murray is “not supportive” of players from Russia and Belarus being banned from Wimbledon but says there is no “right answer” on the issue.

Players from the two countries cannot play at this year’s Grand Slam because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal called the ban “very unfair”.

Belarusian players were included in the ban because the country has supported Russia’s military action in Ukraine.

In March, the UK government is understood to have asked national governing bodies to request written confirmation from Russian and Belarusian players of their neutrality if they wanted to compete in events in England.

“I’m not supportive of players getting banned,” said Britain’s Murray, who will play Dominic Thiem in the first round of the Madrid Open on Monday.

“The guidance from the government was not helpful.

“My understanding of the guidance was that Russians and Belarusians can play if they sign a declaration that they’re against the war and against the Russian regime.” he added.

However, some players, including Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, have welcomed Wimbledon’s action, although the former semi-finalist said Russian and Belarusian players who speak out against the invasion should be allowed to compete.

“I think it’s very unfair [on] my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues,” said Spaniard Nadal.

“It’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war.”

The governing bodies of men’s (ATP) and women’s professional tennis (WTA) are against the ban and are deciding how to react. One possibility is that they could remove ranking points from the Grand Slam tournament, which runs from 27 June to 10 July.

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