Novak Djokovic criticizes Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian players

Rafa Nadal also thinks about the Wimbledon decision 1:07

(CNN) --

Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year's tournament following Russia's invasion of Ukraine is "wrong," world number one Novak Djokovic said Monday.

Wimbledon, the third of four Grand Slams on the calendar, is arguably the most famous tennis tournament in the world.

But this year the men's and women's professional circuits, along with the International Tennis Federation (ITF), have opted to strip the Grand Slam of its ranking points following the tournament organizers' decision to ban Russians and Belarusians play in the event.

"Collectively, I am glad that the players have come together and shown the Grand Slam that when a mistake is made you have to show that there will be consequences," Djokovic told reporters on Monday.

The ban on Russian players will prevent a number of high-ranking players from competing in the iconic grass-court slam.

"I think (the Wimbledon ban) was a wrong decision. I don't support it at all. But right now it's a sensitive issue and any decision that is made will create a lot of conflict," he added.

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The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said in a statement on Friday that it stood by its decision.

Wimbledon organizers said in April that Russians and Belarusians would not be allowed to compete in this year's tournament.

In a statement, the AELTC said it remained "unwilling to accept that success or participation in Wimbledon is used for the benefit of the Russian regime's propaganda machine which, through its tightly controlled state media, has a history of renowned use of sporting successes to support a winning narrative for the Russian people.

"Therefore, we wish to express our deep disappointment at the decisions made by the ATP, the WTA (men's and women's circuits, respectively) and the ITF to remove the qualification points for the championship. We believe that these decisions are disproportionate in the context of the exceptional and extreme circumstances of this situation and the position in which we find ourselves, and harm all the players who compete on the Tour," the statement added.

Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic during the Rolex Paris Masters 2021 final on November 7.

(Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Russia and Belarus had been banned by tennis governing bodies from participating in international team competitions following the invasion.

However, individual players from these countries may compete on the ATP and WTA tours, but not under the name or flag of their countries.

Djokovic said he would still play at Wimbledon this year, but criticized the lack of "strong communication" from the organisers.

"On a personal level, of course, without having the opportunity to play and defend my 4,000 points from Australia and Wimbledon, I will lose them this year," he said.

"It's a very unique and strange situation, but a Grand Slam is a Grand Slam," he said, adding that Wimbledon "has always been my dream since I was a kid."

"I don't look at it from the point of view of points or prize money, but there have to be rules with some mutual respect," he said.

"This is one of those types of decisions where there will always be someone who suffers more. It's a lose-lose situation."

• Nadal, Djokovic and Murray criticize Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian tennis players

Meanwhile, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has said she is not sure about playing Wimbledon this year, calling the pointless tournament "like an exhibition".

"The intention of this measure was good, but the execution is at rock bottom," he said on Monday.

"I feel like if I play Wimbledon without points it's more like an exhibition. I know this isn't true, right? But my brain feels that way. Whenever I think something is like an exhibition, I can't go 100%.

"I haven't made my decision yet, but I'm more inclined not to play given the current circumstances," Osaka added.

Issy Ronald and Jill Martin contributed to the report.

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