Novak Djokovic criticizes 'crazy' Wimbledon ban on Russian, Belarusian players

The All England Lawn Tennis Club generated international headlines earlier this week by barring Russian and Belarusian players from competing at this year's Wimbledon Championships due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has featured Belarus serving as a key staging area for military personnel and equipment. 

That decision has an outspoken critic in current men's world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. 

Per Sky Sports and Reuters (h/t ESPN), Djokovic, who was raised in war-torn Serbia, hit out at the decision while speaking with reporters.

"I will always condemn war; I will never support war being myself a child of war," Djokovic explained. "I know how much emotional trauma it leaves. In Serbia, we all know what happened in 1999. In the Balkans, we have had many wars in recent history.

"However, I cannot support the decision of Wimbledon, I think it is crazy. When politics interferes with sport, the result is not good."

Men's world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev and No. 8 Andrey Rublev, along with women's world No. 4 Aryna Sabalenka, are among recognizable names ruled out from playing in the Grand Slam unless the All England Lawn Tennis Club changes its mind before Wimbledon gets underway in late June. 

Meanwhile, both the ATP and WTA tours have openly criticized the bans. 

"It is important to stress that players from Russia and Belarus will continue to be allowed to compete at ATP events under a neutral flag, a position that has until now been shared across professional tennis," the ATP said. 

The WTA added: 

"As the WTA has consistently stated, individual athletes should not be penalized or prevented from competing due to where they are from, or the decisions made by the governments of their countries. Discrimination, and the decision to focus such discrimination against athletes competing on their own as individuals, is neither fair nor justified. The WTA will continue to apply its rules to reject discrimination and ensure that all athletes are able to compete at our Tour events should they qualify to do so, a position that until today’s announcement has been shared across professional tennis. The WTA will be evaluating its next steps and what actions may be taken regarding these decisions."