Tennis icon Rafael Nadal has been heavily criticised by a former Ukrainian player over his recent comments regarding Wimbledon’s ban on Russian and Belurusian players.
Following a rib injury, the Spaniard will return to tour on Wednesday to compete in the Madrid Open - his first event since losing to Taylor Fritz in the Indian Wells final in March. While speaking with reporters ahead of his opening match in the his country's capital, the 35-year-old expressed his opinion on the controversial decision made by the All England Club.
“It’s unfair for my Russian colleagues,” he said. “In that sense it’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war. I’m sorry for them. I wish it was not this way, but at the end of the day we know that this is what we have.” This prompted an angry response from Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky, who bit back at Nadal’s comments in defence of his people and country.
