Swiatek Serves Up A Controversial Ace: Should Tennis Have Banned Russian And Belarusian Players

Swiatek Serves Up A Controversial Ace:-

Tennis in Chaos: Swiatek criticizes lack of leadership from ATP and WTA

Iga Swiatek, the current World No. 1 tennis player, has expressed her belief that tennis authorities should have taken a stronger stance by banning Russian and Belarusian players from the Sport after the invasion of Ukraine. While several international sporting codes had decided to ban athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing, tennis had allowed players from these nations to compete as neutral athletes without their countries' anthems and flags. However, the All England Club and Lawn Tennis Association had taken a different position and banned players from Russia and Belarus from competing in all grass-court tournaments in the United Kingdom, including Wimbledon, last year. In response, the ATP and WTA stripped Wimbledon of ranking points while the LTA received heavy fines.

AELTC and LTA Reverse Ban on Russian and Belarusian Players, Swiatek Believes Tennis Should Have Taken Stronger Stand.

The AELTC and LTA have now changed their decision, allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete at UK events this year. Swiatek, a three-time Grand Slam winner, feels that tennis should have taken a firmer stance from the start. She suggests that banning Russian and Belarusian players from the sport would have sent a strong message to the Russian government that their actions in Ukraine are not acceptable. While she acknowledges that it is too late to impose a ban now, she believes that tennis should have done more to show that tennis players are against the war.

Tension in WTA locker room reported as Australian Open champion Sabalenka reveals aggression towards her due to nationality

Swiatek also highlighted the lack of leadership from the WTA and ATP last year, which has resulted in tennis finding itself in a "chaotic place." She feels that tennis could have done better to show everyone that tennis players are against the war and could have helped the players in the locker room cope better because of the tense atmosphere. Recently, there have been reports of tension in the WTA locker room, with Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus revealing that some players have been aggressive towards her due to her nationality.