‘A message has to be sent’ says former British No.1 on Wimbledon ban
Former British number one Andrew Castle has given his support for the Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarussian players from this years event, as he believes the ban to be necessary to ensure that Russia are denied any potential boosts by a Russian success at Wimbledon.
The All England Club, on Wednesday, announced the controversial decision that as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both Russian and Belarusian athletes will be unable to compete at the world’s oldest Grand Slam.
This means that the likes of world number two Daniil Medvedev and world number four Aryna Sabalenka will not participate in the tournament.
In response to the sanctions, the ATP and WTA have condemned Wimbledon’s ban, with the ATP branding the sanctions as “unfair” and accusing Wimbledon chiefs of “discrimination”.
Current players, coaches and legends of the game have also slammed Wimbledon’s actions, with Russia’s Andrey Rublev branding the sanctions as ‘discriminatory’ as well as world number one Novak Djokovic labelling the decision as “crazy”.
However, renowned pundit Andrew Castle has supported Wimbledon’s actions stating that the Russian and Belarussian players must pay a personal price for their countries actions.
In a recent interview, Castle told reporters, “These players are being discriminated against and I say that’s ok,” said Castle. “I say that’s ok because of the scenes I watch unfold in Mariupol and Melitopol and Odessa.
“People are dying – in Mariupol right now they are starving to death. Mass graves are being dug.
“What is it going to take for us to realise that this is not going to stop unless we are all united across creative arts, sport, industry, business, military…everybody.
“I know it’s not Medvedev’s fault and Rublev and Sabalenka and (Victoria Azarenka and (Anastasia) Pavlyuchenkova. I know it’s not their fault and I know that they’re good people – but don’t we need to sanction Russian people?
“We’re all affected by this, so why should they not be affected for the actions of their government?
“Why should Ukrainians be starving to death, orphaned and raped?
“You say it’s unfair, the governing body of the ATP (the men’s tour) and the WTA (the women’s tour) say it’s unfair, it’s discrimination, it’s wrong.
“I’ll give you wrong and unfair: what’s taking place in Ukraine.
“A message has to be sent – a message of unity.”
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