Billie Jean King wants to see the ban on Russian and Belarussian players lifted in order for them to return to the competition this year.
The former player has voiced her opinion on many things over the years and she's never shied away from tackling a controversial issue as well. Despite getting approval from most Ukrainian players, the vast majority of other players opposed the ban on their Russian and Belarussian colleagues.
The LTA were fined because of that and it's widely expected that the ban will be lifted this year to avoid another fine. Yet, chatter in the Isles says that the ban might be upheld this year as well. Billie Jean King hopes it doesn't happen:
"Just have them play and get their money. I
hope they do, just keep it the same way the other ones are. Life is too
short. The WTA was started for that, so we'd all have one voice to help
protect players."