World primary Iga Swiatek believes tennis authorities missed the chance to take a stand towards the battle in Ukraine by banning Russian and Belarusian gamers.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine final 12 months – which was aided by Belarus – gamers from each nations had been barred from competing at Wimbledon.
Wimbledon was the one grand slam to implement a ban, nevertheless, and affected gamers will be capable to return to SW19 this 12 months as impartial athletes after the All England Club reversed the transfer.
While Swiatek acknowledges a ban could also be harsh on Russian and Belarusian gamers, she feels the game missed an opportunity to ship a robust message to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime by enacting such a measure.
“I heard that after World War II, German players were not allowed as well as Japanese and Italian, and I feel like this kind of thing would show the Russian government that maybe it’s not worth it,” she advised the BBC.
“I know it’s a small thing because we are just athletes, a little piece in the world, but I feel like sport is pretty important and sport has always been used in propaganda.
“This is one thing that was thought of in the beginning, tennis did not actually go that means, however now it could be fairly unfair for Russian and Belarusian gamers to try this, as a result of this choice was alleged to be made a 12 months in the past.
“I feel like tennis, from the beginning, could do a bit better in showing everybody that tennis players are against the war.”
On her Russian and Belarusian colleagues, Swiatek added: “It’s not their fault they have a passport like that, but on the other hand, we all have some kind of impact.
“I really feel like something that will assist cease the Russian aggression, we must always go that means by way of the selections the federations are making.”
Source: www.anews.com.tr
