Chris Evert, a three-time Wimbledon champion, has praised the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club’s (AELTC) recent decision to cover the accommodation costs of Ukrainian participants during the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. In partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the AELTC will be funding accommodation for Ukrainian tennis players such as Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Lesia Tsurenko, and Dayana Yastremska.
Wimbledon’s support for Ukraine
The decision to support Ukrainian players comes after the organizers were forced to reverse their ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes who couldn’t participate in the 2022 edition due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. AELTC Chairman Ian Hewitt stated that the cost of two rooms for all main draw and qualifying players, as well as their teams, will be borne by the organizing bodies throughout the grass court season. Additionally, Ukrainian players will have access to practice courts after the French Open and in the weeks leading up to Wimbledon. The AELTC and LTA will also be donating £1 to Ukrainian Relief for each ticket holder during this year’s Wimbledon Championships, with an estimated donation of more than £500,000.
Neutrality agreement for Russian and Belarusian athletes
On March 31, 2023, Wimbledon confirmed that it had overturned the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, which, according to Chairman Ian Hewitt, “was an incredibly difficult decision.” However, several conditions were set for these players, including signing a declaration of neutrality to participate in the tournament, meaning they cannot be associated with any country name or flag. World No. 25 Anastasia Potapova responded by stating that she and other athletes have repeatedly expressed their disapproval of the war and are willing to sign the agreement if necessary.
Additional conditions for Russian and Belarusian players
Apart from the neutrality agreement, players will be prohibited from receiving funds from Russia and Belarus or businesses closely related to these countries. Furthermore, flags showing support for Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be allowed on the SW19 premises. Considering the complexities of the situation, it is commendable that Wimbledon has taken various measures to support affected athletes while maintaining a neutral stance on the ongoing conflict.
