Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev says Wimbledon ban is ‘illogical’ and ‘discriminatory’
The Belarusian Tennis Federation (BTF) also released a statement opposing the ban, saying that they will seek legal advice over the decision which will “only incite hatred and intolerance on the basis of nationality.”Rublev, after defeating Jiri Lehecka to advance to the quarterfinals of the Serbia Open in Belgrade on Thursday, told reporters in a post-match press conference that he and other players had a call with Wimbledon organizers on Wednesday in an attempt to find a solution.”To be honest, the reasons that they give, there is no meaning, there is no logic for what they propose,” Rublev said.He later added: “The things that happen now is complete discrimination of us.”Rublev, who wrote “No war please” on a camera during a match a few days after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, said it was proposed to Wimbledon to have “at least a chance to choose if we want to play or we don’t want to play.”The AELTC justified its decision as a means to “limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible,” following Moscow’s invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine.Both the ATP and WTA Tours have criticized the decision, though the AELTC said it would “consider and respond accordingly” if circumstances change between now and June.
