Medvedev called unfair the removal of Russians from participation in Wimbledon

MOSCOW, May 16. World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev considers the suspension of Russian and Belarusian tennis players from participating in the Wimbledon tournament as unfair, setting a precedent and putting other competitions in an unpleasant position. In April, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) refused Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in Wimbledon due to the situation in Ukraine. Also, players from Russia and Belarus were banned from playing at grass tournaments in the UK under the auspices of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Such measures were condemned by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and leading tennis players, including world number one Novak Djokovic and former world number one Briton Andy Murray. Wimbledon will be held from June 27 to July 10. «On the one hand, I can understand this, but on the other, I think it is unfair. This is a difficult situation, as it sets a precedent and puts other sports competitions in an unpleasant position. Where does the line go? What are the rules should lead to a possible exception? We tennis players are legally treated as independent workers. But currently in the UK, self-employed Russians have the right to work. So if I have the opportunity to play at Wimbledon, I will be glad. If not , you will have to put up with it,» Medvedev was quoted by the Tribune de Geneve. Earlier, the media reported that the ATP players' council, which includes the Swiss Roger Federer and the Spaniard Rafael Nadal, supported the idea not to award rating points for participation in both Wimbledon and in other tournaments in the UK.