Medvedev in danger of missing Wimbledon amid Russian invasion of Ukraine
London, Mar 15 (EFE).- Daniil Medvedev could miss Wimbledon as the British government and organizers discuss banning Russians and Belarusians who do not express their rejection of president Vladimir Putin amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, a United Kingdom official has said.
The Russian is set to concede the ATP rankings top spot back to Novak Djokovic after his early Indian Wells exit, but he can reclaim it should he reach the Miami Open semis.
He, however, could be excluded from the season’s third Grand Slam if the All England Club and the government do not reach an agreement to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete under a neutral flag.
“Many countries have agreed that they will not allow representatives from Russia to compete,” British culture minister Nigel Huddleston said. “When it comes to individuals, that is more complex”.
“Absolutely nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed or enabled,” during the grass-court tournament which gets underway in late June, he said.
“We need some potential assurance that they are not supporters of Putin and we are considering what requirements we may need to try and get some assurances along those lines,” he added.
Medvedev is one of four ATP top-30 Russian players who would be affected by this measure, including Andrey Rublev (7), Aslan Karatsev (22) and Karen Khachanov (26). EFE
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