Wimbledon officials reiterated their position last week, saying a government directive on invading Ukraine left them with no viable alternative to denying entry to players from either country. Murray, who is donating all of his prize money this season to humanitarian aid in Ukraine, said government guidance was “not helpful” and could potentially endanger the players’ families. “I do not support the exclusion of players,” the former world No. 1 told reporters in Spain ahead of his first-round match with Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Open. “I understand the guidance that the Russians and the Belarusians can play if they sign a statement that they are against the war and against the Russian regime. I’m not sure how comfortable I would be if something happened to one of the players or their families [as a result]. “I do not think there is a right answer. I have talked to some of the Russian players. I have talked to some of the Ukrainian players. I feel very bad for the players who are not allowed to play and I understand that they will find it unfair. “But I also know some of the people who work at Wimbledon and I know how difficult it was. “I feel for everyone, I feel for the players who can not play and I do not support one side or the other.” There has been some support for Wimbledon’s position, especially from Ukrainians in tennis, but the reaction has been largely negative, with the ATP and WTA deciding whether to impose penalties. Rafael Nadal, who has won two of his 21 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon, called the ban “very unfair”. Action against Wimbledon and previous lawn tournaments organized by the Lawn Tennis Association could include deducting ranking points. Nadal, who is a member of the ATP Player Council, added: “The 2,000 points whenever we go to a grand slam are really important and we have to go to these tournaments. So we have to see the measures we will take. Subscribe to The Recap, the weekly email with authors’ choices. “At the end of the day, what happens in our game does not matter when we see so many people die and suffer and see the bad situation in Ukraine.” Novak Djokovic, No. 1 in the men’s world, reiterated his opposition to the ban, saying: “I continue to insist that I do not support the decision. I think it’s not fair, it’s not right, but it’s what it’s. “They have the right to make the decision and now I guess it’s up to the players’ board, the tour management, to really decide with the players what the best solution is in this situation, if they will keep the points, they will protect the points, will deduct 50% of the points or whatever. “I really doubt there will be no points. “Probably the most realistic option is to protect the points from Russian and Belarusian players who do not play.”
