World number two Daniil Medvedev is optimistic about competing in next month’s Wimbledon despite the ban on Russians and Belarusians from taking part in the tennis event The Trumpet gathered.
All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), organisers of Wimbledon, barred Russia and Belarus players from the Grand Slam event in retaliation to Russia’s “military special operation” in Ukraine.
The decision according to AELTC became necessary following a discussion with the UK government; a decision that the ATP and WTA’s tours strongly condemned, telling the AELTC to expect a corresponding sanction.
Medvedev, who missed the European clay-court events in Madrid and Rome after undergoing a hernia operation that kept him out of action for six weeks, comes into action in Geneva, Switzerland as a top seed.
The US Open champion is aware that his proposal does not affect the decision of the AELTC but believes that he might be considered to take part in his most prestigious tennis tournament.
The Russian noted that decisions made are usually not supported by everybody, citing people’s varying views towards the tennis ball’s colour (green or yellow).
He said, “I don’t know if this decision is 100 percent and it’s over [for me].
“If I can play, I’m going to be happy to play in Wimbledon. I love this tournament. If I cannot play – well, I’m going to try to play other tournaments and prepare well for next year if I have the chance to play.
“I tried to follow what’s happening because I don’t have any decisions to make. It’s right now about Wimbledon itself, the ATP, maybe the British government is involved.
Read Also: NOC initiates inclusion of women in sports politics, management
“It’s a tricky situation and like every situation in life, you ask 100 players, everybody’s going to give a different opinion.
“[When] you show a tennis ball to 100 people, I’m sure some of them are going to say it’s green and not yellow. I think it’s yellow. [But] if somebody tells me it’s green, I’m not going to get in conflict with this person,” he concluded.
Medvedev, who lost in the final of the Australian Open to 21 Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal, strives to compete in the Wimbledon which may be reduced to a mere exhibition event should WTA and ATP reduce its ranking points.
