(CNN) --
Wimbledon organizers announced Wednesday that Russian and Belarusian players will not be allowed to compete at this year's Grand Slam because of Russia's war in Ukraine.
"Given the profile of The Championships in the UK and around the world, it is our responsibility to play our part in the widespread efforts by Government, industry and sports and creative institutions to limit Russia's global influence through the media. strongest possible," the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said in a statement.
Russia's war in Ukraine, minute by minute
"In the circumstances of such an unprecedented and unjustified military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefit from the participation of Russian or Belarusian players in the Championship.
"Therefore, it is our intention, with deep regret, to decline the registrations of Russian and Belarusian players in The Championships 2022," he added.
The ban on Russian players will prevent a number of high-ranking players from competing in the iconic grass-court Grand Slam.
Four Russian men, including world number two and reigning US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, are currently in the top 30 of the ATP rankings.
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Russia has five women in the top 40 of the WTA rankings.
Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka is currently ranked fourth in the world and was a Wimbledon semi-finalist last year, while her compatriot Victoria Azarenka, a former world number one, is currently ranked 18th.
It is the first time Russian and Belarusian players have been banned from competing in an elite tennis event.
Russia and Belarus had been banned by tennis governing bodies from participating in international team competitions following the invasion.
Individual players may compete on the ATP and WTA tours, but not under the name or flag of their countries.
Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year, will start on June 27.
The rejection of the Kremlin after the sanction of Russian tennis players
Before it became official, the information had been released by The New York Times, which generated a response from Moscow, which described the decision as "unacceptable".
"Making athletes victims of some kind of political prejudice, intrigue, hostile action towards our country is unacceptable. One can only regret it," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.
The information was confirmed to the newspaper by "a senior international tennis official" who spoke anonymously.
The official was not authorized to speak on behalf of the AELTC, according to The New York Times.
"Considering that Russia is, after all, a very strong country in terms of tennis, our tennis players are at the top of the world rankings and the competition itself will be affected by their withdrawal," Peskov said.
"I would like to wish the boys to do their best not to lose their form and not lose their world tennis class," he added.
Daniil Medvedev Wimbledon