Andy Murray does not support the government’s plan to ban Russian and Belarusian Wimbledon players, but added that there is no “right answer” to the difficult situation.
Wimbledon reiterated their position last week, saying a government directive on the invasion of Ukraine had left them with no viable alternative but to deny entry to players from both sides.
Murray, who is donating all of his prize money this season to humanitarian aid in Ukraine, said the government’s guidelines were “not helpful” and could potentially put players’ families at risk.
“I do not support players being banned,” the former world number one told reporters in Spain before his first-round match against Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Open.
“My understanding of the guidelines was that Russians and Belarusians can play if they sign a declaration that they are against the war and against the Russian regime. I’m not sure how comfortable I would feel if something happened to one of the players or their families [as a result].
“I do not think there is a right answer. I talked to some of the Russian players. I talked to some of the Ukrainian players. I feel very bad for players who are not allowed to play and I understand that it will be unfair.
“But I also know some of the people who work at Wimbledon, and I know how difficult a position they have been. I sympathize with everyone, I feel for the players who can’t play, and I don’t support either side or the other. “
There was some support for Wimbledon’s position, especially from the Ukrainians in tennis, but the reaction was largely negative, with both the ATP and the WTA deciding whether to impose penalties.
Rafael Nadal, who won two of his 21 Wimbledon singles Grand Slam titles, called the ban “very unfair”.
Action against Wimbledon and previous grass tournaments hosted by the Grass Tennis Association may include the elimination of ranking points.
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Nadal, who is a member of the ATP Players’ Council, added: “2000 points when we go to the Grand Slam, they are really important and we have to go to these tournaments. So we will have to see the measures we take.
“After all, what happens in our game doesn’t matter when we can see so many people dying and suffering and we see the bad situation they have in Ukraine.
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