After its "difficult decision" to lift a ban on Russians and Belarusians competing, Wimbledon has announced it will donate up to 500,000 pounds ($AU933,560) to relief efforts in Ukraine.
Key points:
- Several Russian and Belarusian players have signed declarations that will clear them to compete as neutrals
- Wimbledon chairman Ian Hewitt said a lift on their ban had been the hardest decision of his four years in the job
- Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described the U-turn as "immoral"
The All England Club will donate 1 pound ($1.87) for each ticket sold to the war-torn country, as well as pay for two rooms for Ukrainian tennis players and their teams during the grass-court season.
Several Russian and Belarusian players have already signed personal declarations that will clear them to compete as neutrals at this year's Wimbledon championships, after Wimbledon last month lifted its ban on them playing.
Speaking at the club's pre-tournament spring media conference, club chairman Ian Hewitt said the U-turn had been the hardest decision of his four years in the job.
"This was an incredibly difficult decision," he said.
"I think our statement on March 31 set out the position as clearly as we could, namely that there were a combination of factors and it was a combination of factors and developments since last year which led to our decision."
Hewitt and club chief executive Sally Bolton said Wimbledon will not be broadcast in Russia or Belarus, and their media will not be allowed at the tournament this year.
They also said flags or signs of support for either of those countries and the war will be barred from the grounds.
Players have also started signing a declaration that they will not show support for Russia, Belarus or the war in Ukraine — a requirement for them to participate.
On March 31, the All England Club sent out a statement announcing it would let players from Russia and Belarus enter Wimbledon this year "as 'neutral' athletes and complying with appropriate conditions".
The U-turn attracted some criticism with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba calling it "immoral".
Among the players now eligible to return to Wimbledon are Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who is ranked No. 2 and won the Australian Open to claim her first grand slam title in January, and Daniil Medvedev of Russia, a former No. 1 who won the 2021 US Open title.
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