Getty Images
Wimbledon has now lifted its ban on Russian and Belarusian gamers for the 2023 event, however WTA star Iga Swiatek just isn’t positive that was the correct resolution. In 2022, Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian gamers following the nation’s invasion of Ukraine. The event will permit gamers from these international locations to compete this yr, but it surely must be underneath a impartial flag.
Swiatek, the No. 1 girls’s participant on the planet, advised BBC Sport that banning gamers from Belarus and Russia once more in 2023 would make a distinction since sports activities is usually a instrument for propaganda.
“I heard that after World War II, German gamers weren’t allowed in addition to Japanese and Italian, and I really feel like this type of factor would present the Russian authorities that perhaps it isn’t price it,” Swiatek mentioned.
“I do know it is a small factor as a result of we’re simply athletes, slightly piece on the planet however I really feel like sport is fairly vital and sport has all the time been utilized in propaganda.
“This is one thing that was thought of initially, tennis did not actually go that means, however now it will be fairly unfair for Russian and Belarusian gamers to do this as a result of this resolution was imagined to be made a yr in the past.”
Swiatek did observe that banning gamers from these international locations is rather a lot simpler mentioned than achieved. Swiatek cited Daria Kasatkina as a Russian participant who has proven braveness by denouncing the struggle.
“It’s straightforward to say that however while you’re going through folks nose to nose it is slightly bit totally different,” Swiatek advised the BBC. “I did shake fingers, for instance, with Daria Kasatkina — she brazenly mentioned that she’s towards the struggle initially and it will be her dream for the struggle to complete.
“I actually respect that as a result of I really feel it is courageous for Russian athletes to say that as a result of their scenario is fairly sophisticated and generally it is arduous for them to talk out loud about it.”
The 2023 Wimbledon Championships will start on July 3 and run by means of July 16.
