Saying “life is too short,” tennis legend Billie Jean King on Wednesday called on Wimbledon to end its ban on players from Russia and Belarus.
Players from both nations were barred from the major event last year over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, the ATP and WTA penalized Wimbledon by stripping ranking points from the tournament.
The All England Club is mulling whether to ban players from Russia and Belarus again this year.
“Just keep it the same way as the other ones are. Life is too short,” King, 79, who has 12 Grand Slam singles titles, told reporters at the Australian Open on Wednesday. “I think they should get prize money. Just have them play and get their money.”
Players from Belarus and Russia are competing at the Australian Open under a neutral white flag as independents.
Two Belarusians — Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabelenka — are in the semifinals and could meet in the title match on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine upset No. 8 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 on the first day of the Internationaux de Strasbourg on Sunday in France. Kalinina won…
Alexander Zverev won his sixth ATP Masters 1000 championship on Sunday, defeating Nicolas Jarry of Chile 6-4, 7-5 at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome. It was the second career…
Emma Raducanu withdrew Sunday from qualifiers for the French Open, apparently choosing to focus on preparation for the grass-court season and participation at Wimbledon in her home country. The 21-year-old…
ATP roundup: Alexander Zverev wins title in Rome
Emma Raducanu withdraws from French Open qualifiers
No. 1 Iga Swiatek beats No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka for third title in Rome
Alexander Zverev to face Nicolas Jarry in Rome final
Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM
