Novak Djokovic has defended the rights of Russian and Belarusian players to play in the World Championships, despite widespread bans on them in many other sports.
Tennis emerged as a global sport after the governing bodies of the WTA and WTA allowed players such as Russian star Daniil Medvedev and Belarusian champion Arina Zapalenka to continue playing in major tournaments.
British Wimbledon was the exception to the 2022 Grand Slam tournaments when the Russians and Belarusians were banned from playing – the organizers were stripped of ranking points and heavily fined by the ATP and WTA in response.
British media have suggested that the heads of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) may switch sides in response to the outcry and the lifting of bans from Russia and Belarus in 2023.
Playing at the Adelaide International in Australia this week, Serbian superstar Djokovic said the Russians and Belarusians should take part in the tour’s biggest events.
“Of course, of course, absolutely,” Djokovic was quoted as saying when asked if he wanted every player to play at every major tournament.
“I hope that [Danyiil Medvegyev] And other Russian and Belarusian players will be able to play everywhere.
Djokovic himself faced restrictions last year, after he was deported from Australia 12 months ago in a dispute over his Covid vaccination status.
The 35-year-old was later banned from playing in the US Open because entry rules in the US applied to non-vaccinated non-citizens.
Djokovic returned to Australia after the government scrapped a three-year travel ban and won his first singles match of the season against France’s Constant Lestienne at the ATP 250 in Adelaide on Tuesday.
Djokovic will next play France’s Quentin Hales in the last 16 on Thursday.
On the other side of the draw, Russians Medvedev and Karen Khachanov will meet in the quarter-finals on Friday, with the top-seeded winner facing Djokovic in the semi-finals.
While Medvedev, Khachanov and their compatriots can compete in a neutral situation in the ATP tournament, they have been banned from team competitions such as the United Cup, which is currently being held at three venues in Australia.
Medvedev said this week he was disappointed not to be able to play in the tournament, but was nonetheless happy to be in Adelaide as he prepares for the Australian Open in Melbourne in January.
