Tennis phenom Daniil Medvedev calls Wimbledon's Russian ban 'unfair,' but says he still holds out hope of playing
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Will Martin
May 19, 2022, 19:39 IST
Daniil Medvedev still holds hopes that he may be able to play at Wimbledon.Getty/Recep Sakar
Russian and Belarusian players are banned from Wimbledon in 2022 amid the invasion of Ukraine.
The ban means world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev will miss out on the tournament.
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Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev, currently ranked second in the world, has spoken publicly for the first time about being banned from Wimbledon this year, calling it "unfair."
Medvedev, alongside all other tennis players from Russia and Belarus, was barred from entering the year's third Grand Slam in light of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking this week, Medvedev told Russian state news outlet TASS of his disappointment at missing out on tennis' best-loved tournament.
"This is a delicate situation because it sets a precedent and puts other sports competitions in an uncomfortable position. Where is the line? What are the rules that should lead to a possible exclusion?"
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Medvedev went on to point out that many regular Russians are still allowed to live and work in the UK despite the invasion, questioning why it should be any different for elite athletes.
"For having discussed it with the ATP, we tennis players [are] considered, in terms of law, as independent workers. But currently in the United Kingdom, self-employed Russians have the right to work," he said.
Medvedev then suggested he still holds out hope that he may be allowed to play after all.
"If I have the opportunity to play at Wimbledon, I would be delighted. If not, I would accept it," he said.
Prior to the ban, Medvedev — who briefly ousted Novak Djokovic as World No. 1 earlier this year — was considered among the favorites to win the prestigious men's singles event at Wimbledon.
Like many Russian athletes, Medvedev has been largely silent on the invasion, speaking only in vague terms about being opposed to the general concept of war, rather than condemn the war being waged by his home country specifically.
That stance likely reflects the fear many Russians have, that speaking out against Putin's invasion could have negative consequences for themselves or their families.
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