Daniil Medvedev Could Face Wimbledon Ban Unless He Denounces Ukraine War

Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev could be banned from Wimbledon in the summer unless he denounces Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Medvedev – whose Indian Wells loss resulted in him losing his world number one spot – may be required to give “assurances” ahead of the tournament in the summer.

UK ministers have suggested that Russian athletes will need to publicly state that they are against the war in order to play.

Sports minister Nigel Huddlestone say that the All-England Law Tennis Club are in talks with the government discussing arrangements for individual tennis players taking part.

A decision on whether or not Russian athletes will be permitted to compete is yet to be made, with Huddlestone admitting that it could be complicated.

“We are talking to various sports about this and what the response should be there,” he said. “Absolutely, nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed or enabled.”

He continues: “I think it needs to go beyond that, I think we need to have some assurance that they are not supporters of Vladimir Putin and we are considering what requirements we may need to get assurances along these lines.

“In short, would I be comfortable with a Russian athlete flying the flag of Russia? No.”

Talks are ongoing but Medvedev could be forced to denounce his homeland in order to compete at Wimbledon.

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