La Jornada – British tennis is in danger of being suspended

Paris. The men’s and women’s world tennis organizations (ATP and WTA) threatened the British Association (LTA) to suspend its men’s and women’s tournaments if it did not allow the Russians and Belarusians to compete in 2023, whose participation in the UK has since been banned. The raid on Ukraine.

In addition, the ATP fined the Tunisian Football Association $1 million for disqualifying tennis players from the two countries last summer in retaliation for the conflict on Ukrainian soil. This penalty of $200,000 was split among the five affected leagues: Queen’s, Eastbourne, and The Challengers Surbiton, Nottingham and Ilkley.

The WTA also fined LTA $750,000 for its tournaments in Nottingham, Birmingham and Eastbourne, and $250,000 to the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which organizes the tournament. Grand Slam from Wimbledon.

In a statement, the British body said it was “deeply disappointed”, blaming the ATP for its “surprising lack of empathy with the situation in Ukraine and its apparent lack of understanding of the unique circumstances it faces”.

“We will prepare our response and await the outcome of our appeal against the WTA’s decision and the sanctions.”

Wimbledon, which is independent of the ATP and Tennis Association, also refused to participate Russian and Belarusian tennis players. In response, both organizations decided not to award any rating points to Grand Slam On the lawn that was not affected by the penalties and fines imposed on the Lebanese Transparency Association – no corruption.

Meanwhile, the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, criticized the British government for its intervention. “We must explore ways to overcome this dilemma regarding athletes’ participation, and return to sporting advantages and not political interference,” said the leader in Lausanne, Switzerland.