Wimbledon chiefs have been left fuming after being handed a huge fine following their decision to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at the All England Club. The decision came in the wake of Vladimir Putin ’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, which began in February of this year.
The ban meant the likes of Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka were unable to compete at SW19 and the grass court warm-up events due to their nationality. In response, the WTA and ATP made the decision to withdraw ranking points from the tournament, in the first wave of punishments on the Grand Slam.
And now Wimbledon bosses have received financial repercussions, after being fined a total of £827,000 ($1 million) due to the Russian and Belarusian banning.
The All England Club have been issued separate fines - reportedly in secret - by the WTA of £620,000 and £207,000. In response, the angered bosses and the LTA are set to appeal the fines with the backing of the British government
Wimbledon bosses have received praise from the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Nadine Dorries who believes the tennis chiefs should be ‘praised’ for their efforts to disrupt Putin’s regime. She told the Daily Mail : “Regrettably the international tennis federations appear determined to be outcasts in this.
“The LTA and Wimbledon should be praised for their move to make Russia an international sporting pariah, and doing what is right in the current circumstances.” Whether the appeal will be successful remains to be seen, as the report suggests that the WTA will only accept an appeal process when the fine has been paid in full.
Things could soon get worse too, with the ATP also expected to follow suit and issue fines of their own. The LTA are said to be the association handed the biggest punishment, as they took the decision to ban female competitors from warm up events in Nottingham and Eastbourne, as well as the Wimbledon suspension.
