Wimbledon could reverse Russian ban as UK tennis in jeopardy after ATP threat

Wimbledon will consider lifting the ban on Russian and Belarusian players next year after the LTA were threatened with expulsion from the ATP Tour. The UK government yesterday (Wednesday) branded the ATP and WTA 'pariahs' after the LTA were fined an additional £820,000 ($1m) for suspending players from both nations following to the invasion of Ukraine.

The ongoing civil war in tennis has now seen the £820,000 fine imposed by the WTA matched by the ATP after Wimbledon were stripped of ranking points. The LTA was also threatened with expulsion from the ATP if the suspensions were repeated.

They said the fine already threatens the organization of smaller events in this country. Wimbledon will have to make a decision in the spring on a new ban for Russian and Belarusian players.

Other Grand Slams allow players from both nations to compete under a neutral flag – and there have been no political protests at tennis events. But events in Ukraine could change by March or April - and the UK government opposes a softening of the tough stance against Russia.

In a strong statement, Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said: "Over the past year, the vast majority of the international sporting community has joined in condemning the barbaric actions and not provoked by Putin in Ukraine.

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“The UK has taken a global leadership role in building this international response. We are clear that sport cannot be used to legitimize this deadly invasion, and that athletes representing Russian states or Belarusians should be banned from competing in other countries. .

"Despite widespread condemnation, international tennis tours are determined to be pariahs in this area, hampering investment in the growth of our domestic game. This is a bad move by the ATP and the WTA.

"I urge them to think carefully about the message this sends and reconsider." The ATP has decided to impose a fine of $200,000 for each of the five ATP grass events held in the UK at Queen's Club, Eastbourne, Surbiton, Nottingham and Ilkley.

The WTA has fined the LTA $750,000 and the All England Club $250,000 for holding the license for the Birmingham event. A statement from the LTA said: “The LTA is deeply disappointed with this result.

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The ATP, in its findings, showed no acknowledgment of the exceptional circumstances created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, or the response of the international sporting community and the UK government to this invasion. The ATP seem to view this case as a simple violation of their rules - with a surprising lack of empathy for the situation in Ukraine and a clear lack of understanding of the unique circumstances the LTA faced.

"The financial impact of this fine and the WTA fine will have a significant impact on the LTA's ability to develop and host tennis in this country. For example, we intended to run a number of ATP Challenger-level events to give lower-ranked players more opportunities in Q1 2023 and will no longer be able to do so, especially given the possibility of further fines.

"We will carefully consider our response...