London/Stuttgart – Swabian tennis player Laura Siegemund is ambivalent about Wimbledon’s decision not to admit pros from Russia and Belarus.
“I am absolutely against this war,” said the 34-year-old after reaching the last 16 at the tournament in Stuttgart: “But I also find it difficult to exclude players who are really obviously against the war, who say so, who make statements and use their platform.
The Wimbledon organisers were reacting to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine by excluding the Russian and Belarusian professionals. Wimbledon is the first event to exclude tennis professionals because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The professional organisations ATP and WTA criticised the decision. The grass court Grand Slam tournament takes place from 27 June to 10 July.
On the other hand, she also sees it as necessary to set signals, said Siegemund: “But whether they are in such a blanket exclusion of the players, I must confess I am very ambivalent.” She hopes that the war will end as soon as possible.
