(Dubai) World No.5 Aryna Sabalenka hopes Wimbledon organizers will be “a little more open” to the idea of allowing Belarusians, like her, and Russians to participate in the 2023 edition.
The 2021 London Grand Slam semi-finalist was one of many top players banned from Wimbledon last June after the All England Club imposed a blanket ban on all Russian and Belarusian players in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
“I really hope they are a bit more open with us. But we saw last year that they weren’t really happy to have us in their tournaments, so…”, declared the 24-year-old player, interviewed by AFP on the sidelines of the World team exhibition tournament. Tennis League in Dubai on their hope of seeing the All England Club reverse their decision.
“I think I have zero control over this situation. I wait. And what happens will happen,” the Minsk native added. “I don’t care about Wimbledon anymore” and “if they ban us from playing for another year, I’m going to have fun at my house in Miami, spend time with my family and do another preseason” he said. she adds.
According to British media, the All England Club are expected to make a decision by April 2023.
