Wimbledon 2022: No Daniil Medvedev in Wimbledon? – World No 1 and US Open champion Daniil Medvedev may be forced to withdraw from Wimbledon 2022 starting June 27. The UK government wants him to provide assurance that he does not support Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Current World No 2 Novak Djokovic could also miss out due to UK’s Covid-19 vaccine norms. Follow all tennis and Wimbledon 2022 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston on Tuesday said he would not be comfortable with a “Russian athlete flying the Russian flag” and winning the grasscourt Grand Slam in London.
“Many countries have agreed that they will not allow representatives from Russia to compete. There are also visa issues as well. When it comes to individuals, that is more complex. Absolutely nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed or enabled,” Nigel Huddleston said at a select committee in parliament when asked about Medvedev competing at Wimbledon.
Wimbledon 2022: After Novak Djokovic, World No 1 Daniil Medvedev’s Wimbledon hopes HANGS in balance, UK wants political assurance
Wimbledon 2022: After Novak Djokovic, World No 1 Daniil Medvedev’s Wimbledon hopes HANGS in balance, UK wants political assurance
Huddleston said many athletes have multiple or dual citizenships and would be willing to compete as “non-aligned, non-flag bearing entities” but that the situation demanded further action.
“We need some potential assurance that they are not supporters of Putin and we are considering what requirements we may need to try and get some assurances along those lines,” he added.
‘I want peace’ – the men’s tennis world No 1, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, gives his thoughts on the invasion of Ukraine pic.twitter.com/TbwKCvaxKn
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) March 10, 2022
Huddleston said he was discussing the issue with Wimbledon organisers, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC).
Medvedev rose to number one in the men’s world rankings last month, although he is set to lose top spot to Novak Djokovic following a third-round loss at Indian Wells on Monday.
Russian and Belarusian players are allowed to play on the elite ATP and WTA Tours but not under the name or flag of their countries.
Wimbledon 2022: After Novak Djokovic, World No 1 Daniil Medvedev’s Wimbledon hopes HANGS in balance, UK wants political assurance
Wimbledon 2022: After Novak Djokovic, World No 1 Daniil Medvedev’s Wimbledon hopes HANGS in balance, UK wants political assurance
Russia was also banned from defending its Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team titles, a decision that followed the country’s invasion of Ukraine last month.
Belarus was a key staging area for the invasion, which Russia says is a “special operation”.
Wimbledon runs from June 27-July 10.
Meanwhile, World No 2 Novak Djokovic, may also miss out on the Wimbledon due to his unvaccinated status. Although the UK has scrapped all COVID-19 restrictions, the unvaccinated travellers may need to undergo 10-day quarantine upon arrival in the UK — something Djokovic may not be happy with.
It may see the defending champion miss out on defending his Wimbledon crown and equal Rafael Nadal with 21 Grand Slams.
Wimbledon 2022: After Novak Djokovic, World No 1 Daniil Medvedev’s Wimbledon hopes HANGS in balance, UK wants political assurance
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