Wimbledon has pledged financial support to Ukrainian players in an effort to quell unrest after deciding to lift its ban on Russian and Belarusian players.
The All England Club have been widely criticised after announcing that Russian and Belarusian players could compete as ‘neutral’ athletes this summer. The AELTC and the Lawn Tennis Association are therefore keen to reassert their support for Ukraine following last year’s invasion by Russia.
They have announced they will pay for two hotel rooms per Ukrainian player in the Wimbledon main or qualifying draws for the whole grass-court season. That is a substantial commitment, given there are about 15 Ukrainian players in position to compete in the qualifying and main‑draw events of Wimbledon.
Ukrainian players will be invited to practise on the Wimbledon or Surbiton courts over the summer and 1,000 refugees from the war-torn country will be invited to the Grand Slam tournament, which runs from July 3 to 16.
The AELTC and LTA have also decided that £1 for every ticket holder would be donated to Ukrainian relief, which could amount to more than £500,000.
AELTC chairman Ian Hewitt has defended the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players back by saying it does not lessen the "total condemnation" of the invasion. "This was an incredibly difficult decision,” Hewitt said on Tuesday. “I personally say that I found this probably the most difficult decision during my chairmanship.”
Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to compete at Wimbledon under the provision that they sign a declaration of neutrality. They must pledge not to make any statements of support for the Russian or Belarusian regimes, and not be in receipt of funds from either states or businesses closely related to the states.
AELTC chief executive Sally Bolton claimed Ukrainian players “understood” the reversal of the ban and said Russian and Belarussian players have already started signing the agreement.
“They’ve been competing on the tour with Russian and Belarusian athletes for a year – they understood the situation we found ourselves in,” said Bolton. “They understood our decision. They were thankful for us taking the time to have that conversation with them.
She added: “A number of players have already signed them in and are engaged in planning on competing at the championships.”
Wimbledon will not be broadcast in Russia or Belarus this summer and Bolton said media from both countries was “not welcome” at the tournament this year. Spectators will be prevented from bringing in flags from either country, or anything showing support for the invasion of Ukraine.
Wimbledon are also preparing for the possibility that the event might be targeted by protestors after the Grand National and World Snooker Championship were disrupted.
