Novak Djokovic has blasted Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian players from competing at SW19 this year. The world No.1 is one of several figures from within the sport to criticise the decision made by the All England Club following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Players from Belarus have also been barred from the tournament and the LTA, the governing body of UK tennis, is blocking athletes from both countries playing in their events ahead of Wimbledon. Following Djokovic's win at the Belgrade Open on Wednesday, the 34-year-old questioned the decision.
“I will always be the first one to condemn the war,” said Djokovic. “As a child of war, I know what kind of emotional trauma a war leaves. Us in Serbia, we know what was happening here in 1999 (during the Kosovo War). Ordinary people always suffer – we’ve had lots of wars in the Balkans. That being said, I cannot support the Wimbledon decision. It’s not the athletes’ fault. When politics interfere with sport, it usually doesn’t turn out well.”
