"Wimbledon set an example but nobody followed it": Ukraine tennis chief admits disappointment in ban U-turn
Tennis NewsSunday, 02 July 2023 at 13:30
Evgeniy Zukin has stated that Ukrainian Tennis Federation
(UTF) is not happy with the participation of Russian and Belarussian players in
Wimbledon 2023.
The third Grand Slam of the year will be played from 03 to
16 of July in London.
Last year, the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (AELTC)
banned the participation of players from Russia and Belarus in reaction to the
invasion of Ukraine.
Both European countries are going through an armed conflict
since February 2022 which has resulted in the loss of lives on both sides.
That decision was widely criticised which led to AELTC overturning
the move this year.
However, despite allowing the player from both countries to
participate in the event, the authorities have asked the players to sign a declaration
form where they will confirm that they are not carrying the sponsorship of any
entity whose individuals are a part of their state apparatus and they are also
not accepting any funds from their respective federal governments.
Zukin, who is the Executive Director of the UTF, while
speaking to Ubitennis, stated that his federation is not happy with AELTC’s
decision to overturn the ban on Russian and Belarussians players. He also criticised
the other bodies of now following in the footsteps of AELTC.
“We are not happy that Russians and Belarussians
are playing in these events,” he said. “Wimbledon set an example last year
(with their ban) but nobody followed it. We understand that they can’t stay as
the only tournament not allowing them to participate.
"Their declaration is
better than no declaration. But it would be better if such a declaration was
signed across the whole Tour. This is the position of our Federation.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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