'Insane': Wimbledon takes harsh criticism from Novak Djokovic 0:48
(CNN) -
There is a growing disagreement between some of the world's top tennis stars and their Ukrainian colleagues, both current and former, over Wimbledon's decision to bar competitors from Russia and Belarus from participating due to the Russian invasion. from Ukraine.
Russian and Belarusian tennis players will not be able to compete at Wimbledon due to the war
Explaining his position, Wimbledon said he did not want to "benefit the propaganda machine of the Russian regime".
However, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic -- who have won 10 Wimbledon titles between them -- joined the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). in his opposition to the veto.
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray criticized, during the Madrid Open press conferences, Wimbledon's decision not to allow Russian and Belarusian tennis players to participate.
"I think it's very unfair (to) my Russian tennis partners, my colleagues," Nadal said during a news conference on Sunday ahead of the Madrid Open.
"It's not his fault what's going on right now with the war," he added.
"I feel sorry for them, Wimbledon just made their decision... The government didn't force them to do it. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks, if the players make any kind of decision about it," he insisted.
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Novak Djokovic calls Russian and Belarusian tennis players banned from playing at Wimbledon "insanity"
Ukrainian tennis players have largely supported the Wimbledon ban.
In that sense, Sergiy Stakhovsky, who retired earlier this year and joined the Ukrainian Army to defend the country from him, rejected Nadal's position.
"@RafaelNadal we compete together... We have faced each other on tour," Stakhovsky wrote on Twitter.
"Please tell me how it is fair that Ukrainian players cannot return home. How is it fair that Ukrainian children cannot play tennis? How is it fair that Ukrainians are dying?" he continued.
Several high-profile tennis players will not be able to compete at Wimbledon
Wimbledon: Russian and Belarusian tennis players affected 1:21
The decision by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AETLC) marks the first time Russian and Belarusian athletes have been barred from an elite tennis event, after Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine.
In that sense, several high-profile players could not compete.
Among them, the male world number 2, Daniil Medvedev, and the female world number 4, Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka of Belarus reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year.
Murray, who will donate all of his prize money this season to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine, said he was "not supportive" of the plan to bar Russian and Belarusian players from Wimbledon.
But, he added, there was no "right answer" to the complex situation.
"What I understand from the measure is that Russians and Belarusians can play if they sign a declaration that they are against the war and against the Russian regime," he told reporters at the Madrid Open.
"I'm not sure how comfortable I would feel if something happened to the players or their families (as a result of that)," he added.
Djokovic: "I don't support the decision"
In the days after the invasion of Ukraine, Russia's parliament passed a law imposing prison sentences of up to 15 years for intentionally spreading "fake" news about the military.
Which greatly increases the risks of the Russians speaking out against the war.
Reigning US Open champion Daniil Medvedev will not be able to compete at Wimbledon this year.
Meanwhile, Djokovic referred to his exclusion from the Australian Open for not being vaccinated against covid-19, when he opposed the Wimbledon ban for the second time.
"It's not the same. But going through something similar earlier this year, it's frustrating knowing you can't play," Djokovic said.
"I still stand by my position that I don't support the (Wimbledon) decision. I think it's not fair, it's not right, but it is what it is," he added.
Following criticism from the tennis world, the AELTC defended its decision in a press conference last week.
Novak Djokovic will defend his title at Wimbledon: organizers allow unvaccinated players to compete
"Even if we were to accept registrations from Russian and Belarusian players with written declarations, we would run the risk that their success or participation in Wimbledon would be used to benefit the Russian regime's propaganda machine. Something we could not accept," the tournament president said. Ian Hewitt told reporters last Tuesday.
The affected tennis players have not yet announced a coordinated response.
But, the ATP and WTA are discussing countermeasures that could include the removal of Wimbledon ranking points.
In a recent interview with CNN, Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk spoke about the psychological impact the Russian invasion has had on her.
Medvedev would face obstacles to play at Wimbledon 0:40
"I started a couple of weeks ago, which helps me tremendously. But you know, sometimes it gets to a certain point where it's scary, the thoughts that come to you," said Kostyuk, who is acutely aware of the importance of trying to manage his feelings and says he has been working with a psychologist.
"I don't want to say the words because you know, you can understand what I'm trying to talk about," he added.
"Because at that point, there's so much going on, you need to carry so much at once that you're like, 'I can't handle this anymore.'"
"I'm like, what's the point of this all coming to? It never ends, what am I supposed to do with my life now? What am I living for?"
Andy Murray Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal Wimbledon
