The ATP, following a similar action by the WTA, has slapped a $1 million fine on the Lawn Tennis Association, UK’s governing body for the sport, for having banned Russian and Belarusian male players from its grass-court events in the summer.
And making clear that the LTA’s actions were unacceptable, the ATP has reportedly informed the body that it faces expulsion from the Tour if it repeats the ban imposed this year due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russians and Belarusians were controversially prevented from competing at the LTA’s five ATP events: Queen’s Club, Eastbourne, Surbiton, Nottingham and Ilkley.
The punishment from the ATP follows the fines imposed by the WTA on the LTA and the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which organises Wimbledon, for banning Russian and Belarusian female players.
The All England Club also banned them from playing at Wimbledon, which was subsequently stripped of its ranking points by the ATP and the WTA. The WTA had also issued a $1m fine ($750,000 to the LTA and $250,000 to the AELTC) which Britain’s governing body of tennis has appealed against.
Predictably, the LTA issued a statement bemoaning the LTA’s tough stance. “The LTA is deeply disappointed with this,” read the statement from the LTA.
“The ATP, in its finding, has shown no recognition of the ‘exceptional circumstances’ created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or the international sporting community and UK Government’s response to that invasion. Rather ironic considering that the same UK government actively participated in invasions in the Middle East under what were subsequently proved to be fraudulent justifications.
Coming back to the LTA, it further stated: “The ATP appear to regard this matter as a straightforward breach of their rules – with a surprising lack of empathy shown for the situation in Ukraine, and a clear lack of understanding of the unique circumstances the LTA faced.”
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach came out in support of the ATP and WTA, criticising the British government for “interfering” over the participation of Russian players at Wimbledon.
“We had the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the US Open in tennis. We have Russian athletes participating in the NHL. They are cheered upon by the fans, everybody happy,” Bach said. “On the other hand we had Wimbledon, the British government interfering and forcing the Wimbledon organisers to exclude Russian and Belarusian players.”
Bach added: “Governments should not decide on political grounds who is participating in which sports events. The qualification for sports events must be on sporting merits and not on political interference.”
