Tennis

Wimbledon intends to accept Russian and Belarusian players

Published

3 years ago

March 31, 2023

Nancy

Wimbledon intends to accept Russian and Belarusian players

PHOTO PAUL CHILDS, REUTERS ARCHIVES

Last year, pushed by the British government, Wimbledon refused Russian and Belarusian players, angering the governing bodies of the men’s ATP and women’s WTA professional circuits.

(Paris) The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), the organizer of Wimbledon which had refused the participation of Russian and Belarusian players in 2022 because of the war in Ukraine, announced on Friday that it “intended” to accept them under “conditions” this year (July 3-16).

“Our current intention is to accept the participation of Russian and Belarusian players provided that they compete as ‘neutral’ athletes and that they meet the required conditions”, announces the AELTC, emphasizing in particular that “they will be prohibited from expressing support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine” and that players “receiving financial aid” from Russia or Belarus to participate in the tournament will not be allowed to participate.

“We still totally condemn the illegal invasion by Russia and we maintain our deep support for the people of Ukraine,” said AELTC President Ian Hewitt, assuring that the decision announced on Friday had been “incredibly difficult” to take.

Last year, pushed by the British government, the Major on grass had refused Russian and Belarusian players, angering the governing bodies of the men’s ATP and women’s WTA professional circuits.

They had decided to deprive the London tournament of ATP and WTA ranking points.

Also, the circuits welcomed the decision of Wimbledon for this year.

“We are happy that all players can participate in Wimbledon and other LTA tournaments [Fédération britannique de tennis] this summer”, commented the ATP and the WTA in a joint press release which salutes the work done by all the parties concerned to arrive at a solution “which protects the fairness” of tennis.

The two professional tennis bodies also reiterate their “unequivocal condemnation of the Russian war in Ukraine”.

Wimbledon had been the only one of the four Grand Slam tournaments to refuse Russian and Belarusian players in 2022. They had been able to participate under a neutral banner at the Australian Open, Roland-Garros and the United States Open.

Source: lapresse

Nancy

I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.

Tennis

Khachanov lost to Darderi in the third round of the Australian Open

Published

1 hour ago

January 24, 2026

Gary

Khachanov lost to Darderi in the third round of the Australian Open

Karen Khachanov / Photo: © Eurasia Sport Images / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Russian tennis player Karen Khachanov lost to Italian Luciano Darderi in the third round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The match ended with a score of 7:6 (7:5), 3:6, 6:3, 6:4 in favor of the Italian. The match lasted 2 hours 23 minutes.

In the next round, the 22nd tournament seed Darderi will play against the winner of the meeting Jannik Sinner (Italy, 2) – Eliot Spizziri (USA).

Grand Slam Tournament. Australian Open. Melbourne (Australia). Hard. Total prize fund: about $75 million

Men. Third circle

Luciano Darderi (Italy, 22) – Karen Khachanov (Russia, 15) – 7:6 (7:5), 3:6, 6:3, 6:4

Source: Sportbox

Gary

I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.

Tennis

Australian Open Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula are fast

Published

3 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Nancy

Australian Open Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula are fast

(Melbourne) Australian Open title holder Madison Keys and her compatriot Jessica Pegula were not bothered by an earlier-than-expected start in Melbourne on Saturday.

Keys, seeded ninth, beat Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-3, while Pegula, seeded sixth, defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 6-2.

The two Americans will now face each other in the round of 16.

The first duels started an hour earlier than planned due to forecasts of scorching temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius. However, temperatures during the first matches had not yet reached this level, being limited to 32°C.

“I served well, and I’m very happy with my performance,” Keys said after her victory. It’s very motivating to find your best tennis again, to have confidence in your game and to make the right choices. »

Pegula, for her part, indicated that the heat did not bother her: “Being a Floridian, I was prepared. »

Keys said he expects a tough match against Pegula in the fourth round.

PHOTO AARON FAVILA, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jessica Pegula

“Jess is an exceptional player, she always performs,” Keys said. She’s always on top. So it’s complicated to be friends. »

Keys and Pegula, as well as several other WTA players, host a podcast called “The Player’s Box” which chronicles their daily lives on the circuit.

“I think we have to record one before the game, we’ll see,” Keys said with a smile.

The evening session will notably feature ten-time champion Novak Djokovic, who continues his quest for a 25^e Grand Slam singles title, a record. He will face Botic van de Zandschulp.

Source: lapresse

Nancy

I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.