Andy Murray 'not going to be going nuts' if Russian and Belarusian players allowed at Wimbledon
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Updated 08/03/2023 at 11:40 GMT
Following a ban on Russian and Belarussian players in in 2022, Andy Murray says he is "not going to be going nuts" if they are allowed back to compete this year. The two-time former champion says he "understands" both sides of the argument but expects the previously excluded stars to take part in the Grand Slam this summer.
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Andy Murray has said that he believes Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to play at this summer’s Wimbledon tournament.
Players from the two countries were banned by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) from taking part in the London-based Grand Slam and tour events leading up to it in 2022, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, speaking ahead of his first round match at Indian Wells this year, Murray says he expects the players will be allowed back and has no problem if they are.
"It's a really difficult one and I do feel for the players who weren't able to play last year, but I also understand the situation and why it's really hard for Wimbledon to make a call on it as well," Murray told the BBC.
The three-time Grand Slam winner hinted he would welcome the previously excluded players back but also understands both sides of the debate around their participation.
"My understanding is that they are going to be allowed to play and I'm not going to be going nuts if that is the case," he said.
"But if Wimbledon went down another route I would be understanding of that."
The likes of Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka were all forced to sit out of Wimbledon last summer.
As a result, the LTA received a hefty £1.4 million fine from the ATP and WTA, and no ranking points were awarded from the tournament.
Murray previously stated he was “not supportive” of the original ban, saying it was “unfair” on the players impacted.
"I feel really bad for the players who aren't allowed to play and I get that it will seem unfair to them,” he said at the time.
"I feel really bad for the players who aren't allowed to play and I get that it will seem unfair to them,” he said at the time.
Medvedev, who missed last year’s tournament has stated his desire to return to Wimbledon for the first time since 2021.
"I want to play Wimbledon. I don’t know what their decision is going to be,” he told Eurosport.
“I’m just going to wait for it and hopefully, I can play Wimbledon this year and show some great results.”
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