Club Chairman Ian Hewitt said at Tuesday’s annual spring news conference for the oldest Grand Slam tournament that letting Russians and Belarusians compete at Wimbledon after banning them a year ago because of the invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022 was “probably the most difficult decision during my chairmanship.”
Wimbledon to house Ukraine's players, fund relief efforts
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Asked about the possibility of allowing players from Russia or Belarus to enter Wimbledon if they submitted a written declaration distancing themselves from Russian President Vladimir Putin - as proposed by British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston - Hewitt said: “There would still be the serious risk of participation and success of players being used to support the propaganda machine of the Russian regime.
Wimbledon defends 'agonizing decision' to ban Russians
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