Wimbledon will donate more than half a million pounds from this year’s Championships to Ukraine relief.
And some 1,000 Ukrainian refugees living near to the All England Club (AELTC) will be invited for an all-expenses-paid day at this year’s tournament.
The announcement comes in response to Wimbledon’s U-turn with regards to players from Russia and Belarus competing at the event a year after they were banned by in line with Government guidelines.
Wimbledon lost its ranking points from the ATP and WTA Tours while the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) was fined heavily for following suit with its warm-up grasscourt events.
Speaking on Tuesday, AELTC chair Ian Hewitt said: “It was a difficult and challenging decision, which was made with the full support of our UK Government and the international stakeholder bodies in tennis, but does not lessen in any way our total condemnation of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
“We are pleased to share that, in partnership with the LTA, we will donate to Ukraine relief one pound for each ticket holder at the championships this year, which will result in a contribution of more than half a million pounds.
“We will again work with Merton and Wandsworth Councils and the British Red Cross to invite 1,000 Ukrainian refugees to join us for a day at Wimbledon, including tickets, food and drink and transport.”
Ukrainian players in qualifying and the main draw will also have free accommodation provided for them during the grasscourt season as well as access to Wimbledon’s practice courts or else other LTA courts after the French Open.
Players from Russia and Belarus will have to sign specific declaration forms in order to be able to compete at Wimbledon this year, with a number of players having already signed up.
Hewitt described the All England Club’s change of position as the “most difficult decision during my chairmanship” but said ATP and WTA players had been understanding of the change of stance.
“We’ve spoken to a while range of players,” he said. “Some will be disappointed but the majority have been supportive. It’s not the easiest situation. Players understand the position we’ve taken.”
This year’s Wimbledon will not be televised in Russia or Belarus, and media from the two countries will not be permitted to attend the two-week tournament.
