The iconic Billie Jean King has called on the All England Tennis Club to end its Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian players, arguing "life is too short," to continue the sanction.
The famous grass court tournament is the only Grand Slam to have barred players from the two nations, following the invasion of Ukraine that began in February last year. Indeed, in the current Australian Open, Belarusian players Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka could yet meet in the final after both made the final four.
Organisers at SW19 are now considering whether or not to reimpose the sanctions for the 2023 tournament. It would be a huge call, considering last year the tours responded by stripping Wimbledon of ranking points, leaving many players and fans sceptical over the world order at the end of the year.
