Rafael Nadal said the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian players from the Wimbledon tournament in response to the invasion of Ukraine was a "
very unfair
" decision on Sunday before the Madrid tournament.
"
It's very unfair
", considered Nadal, who became the most sacred player in Grand Slam with a 21st trophy won in Australia at the start of the year.
"
They can't do much, can they?"
How is it their fault what is happening at the moment, the war? Asked the 35-year-old Spaniard.
I really feel sorry for them.
»
"
It's very unfair for them, but unfortunately I would say that currently, if it's very complicated for these players, what happens is so unfortunate that ultimately what happens in our sport is almost irrelevant when there are so many people dying and suffering
, ”said the former world No.1.
Wimbledon announced ten days ago its decision to exclude Russians and Belarusians from its 2022 edition (June 27-July 10) due to the invasion of Ukraine.
Among the players concerned include world No.2 Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev (N.8) - who described it as "
totally discriminatory
" -, Aryna Sabalenka (N.4) or Victoria Azarenka (ex- N.1 today 17th).
This decision is a first in world tennis and was immediately strongly criticized by the ATP and the WTA.
On the two professional circuits, Russians and Belarusians are authorized to play under a neutral banner.
Their national teams, on the other hand, were excluded from the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup.
“
When a government takes measures, they must be followed.
In this case, the (British) government gave a recommendation and Wimbledon took its decision, as drastic as possible, without obligation to take
it,” noted Nadal.
For Djokovic, a “crazy” decision
Novak Djokovic, who called the decision "
crazy
", said he was "
maintaining (his) position
" on Sunday.
"
I think it's unfair
," reaffirmed the world No.1, referring to the possibility of acting on the variable of the points distributed at Wimbledon, for example by keeping those of the Russians and Belarusians prevented from participating.