By Emmanuel Adeleke
Russian and Belarusian tennis players have been banned from the 2022 Wimbledon tournament due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
The highest-ranked players to be affected are men’s world number two, Daniil Medvedev of Russia, and women’s world number four, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.
Players from both countries have been allowed to compete on the tennis tour but not under their national flags.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) will reportedly confirm the move later on Wednesday.
Sabalenka reached the semi-finals of last year’s tournament, while Medvedev reached the fourth round.
Russian world number 15, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who called for the war to stop earlier this year and 18th ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will also miss out.
Russia’s Andrey Rublev is eighth in the men’s standings, with compatriot,Karen Khachanov, 26th.
Wimbledon takes place from June 27, to July 10, 2022.
However, the affected players will all still be able to compete at the French Open, which begins in May.
