Kuni .G. Isaac
Players from the two countries can not play at this year’s Grand Slam because of Russia’s descent of Ukraine.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has also banned Russian and Belarusian players from all other UK lawn- court events.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal called the ban” very unfair”.
Belarusian players were included in the ban because the country has supported Russia’s military action in Ukraine.
In March, the UK government is understood to have asked public governing bodies to request written evidence from Russian and Belarusian players of their impartiality if they wanted to contend in events in England.
The AELTC, which organises Wimbledon, consulted the government in April about whether to allow players to contend.
When the ban was enunciated on 20 April, it was supported by UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston and Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, and criticised by Kremlin speaker Dmitry Peskov.
“I am not supportive of players getting banned,” said Britain’s Murray, who’ll play Dominic Thiem in the first round of the Madrid Open on Monday.
“The guidance from the government wasn’t helpful.
“My understanding of the guidance was that Russians and Belarusians can play if they sign a declaration that they are against the war and against the Russian regime.
“I am not sure how comfortable I would feel if something happened to one of the players or their families (as a result of signing the form).
“I do not think there is a right answer. I’ve spoken to some of the Russian players. I have spoken to some of the Ukrainian players. I feel really bad for the players who are not allowed to play and I get that it’ll seem unfair to them. But I also know some of the people who work at Wimbledon, and I know how difficult a position they were in.
“I feel for everyone, feel for the players that can not play, and I do not support one side or the other.”
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic has called the ban” crazy”, while Russian world number eight Andrey Rublev said the ban was” complete discrimination”and” illogical”.
Still, some players, including Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, have ate Wimbledon’s action, although the formersemi-finalist said Russian and Belarusian players who speak out against the irruption should be allowed to contend.
Nadal expressed his opposition on Wimbledon‘s decision to ban Russian and Belarussian competitors from playing.
“Let’s see if we can take some kind of decision on this,” Nadal explained.
“It’s very unfair to my colleagues, they aren’t to blame for what is happening with the war. I feel sorry for them and I wish it wasn’t like this.
“In the end, we know that this is what it is. When the government puts measures in place, we have to follow them.”
“I think it’s very unfair (on) my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues,” said Spaniard Nadal.
“It’s not their fault what is happening in this moment with the war.”
The governing bodies of men’s (ATP) and women’s professional tennis (WTA) are against the ban and are deciding how to reply. One possibility is that they could remove ranking points from the Grand Slam event, which runs from 27 June to 10 July.
“The points, whenever we go to the Grand Slams, they’re really important and we’ve to go to those events,” added Nadal, who’s a member of the ATP player council.” So we will have to see the measures that we take.
“What happens in our game does not have any importance when we can see so many people dying and suffering and seeing the bad situation they’re having in Ukraine.”
Nadal is prepared to return to deeds at the Madrid Open this week, having been sidelined since 22 March with a caricature injury.
“I’ve recovered from the injury, to be honest,” he added.
“Tennis and preparation are different stories, those who have broken a rib know how restricting it is, I had difficulty sleeping because of the pain in the first few weeks.
“It’s an injury that didn’t allow me to do almost anything, it hurt even when I just did aerobic work.”
” Talking about the injury, I am recovered, I feel good,” said Nadal, who won the Australian Open earlier this year.
” Talking about my tennis game and preparations, well, it’s a completely different story.
“Anyone who has broken a caricature knows how limiting it is, veritably painful, especially the first weeks. I was not suitable to do anything without a lot of difficulties, indeed to fall asleep because of the pain.
“I’ve bettered compared to when I came then but I still have ups and campo because it’s been a long time without being in these kind of situations and it’s going to be a delicate week, for sure.”
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