British tennis bosses expressed their dismay and accused the ATP of a 'surprising lack of empathy' towards Ukraine as they were slapped with a huge fine and threatened with expulsion for banning Russian and Belarusian players.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) banned Russian and Belarusian tennis stars from their tournaments this summer on the advice of the UK government after Vladimir Putin ’s invasion of Ukraine.
The LTA's decision prevented the likes of Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev from competing in tournaments at Queen’s Club, Eastbourne, Surbiton, Nottingham and Ilkley. And the LTA governing body has now been struck with a $1million (£823,000) fine for imposing the bans by the ATP Tour - the men's professional tennis circuit.
