MIKE DICKSON: Allowing Russian players at Wimbledon was the least inelegant way out for the LTA

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The road to hell is paved with good intentions and, having travelled down it for many months, British tennis finally flicked the indicator and found an exit route.

Propelled by the lofty principles of last summer, Wimbledon and the Lawn Tennis Association saw too much trouble ahead, and have decided to change direction when it comes to banning players from Russia and Belarus.

The talk yesterday was all of ‘solutions’ having been found among the various parties, but in plain language let us be clear what this is: a climb down.

Isolated to a surprising and somewhat shocking degree by the rest of the world, the British game was left with little choice but to re-admit players from two significant tennis nations conspiring to inflict unimaginable suffering on another, Ukraine.

Reaching an agreement that has the support of the British government, and with safeguards over shows of support for the invasion via signed agreements, was about the least inelegant way out.

Players from Russia and Belarus will return to Wimbledon this summer after the All England Club reluctantly lifted its ban imposed following their countries' invasion of Ukraine last year

Players from Russia and Belarus will return to Wimbledon this summer after the All England Club reluctantly lifted its ban imposed following their countries’ invasion of Ukraine last year

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Russian star and world number five Daniil Medvedev will be able to return to the tournament

Russian star and world number five Daniil Medvedev will be able to return to the tournament

Still, many among the British public, not to mention some Ukrainian players, will view it as a switch to the wrong side of history.

The respective chiefs at Wimbledon and the Lawn Tennis Association – Sally Bolton and Scott Lloyd – were robust in defending their positions yesterday, and observed that the coming declarations of neutrality were not feasible to secure a year ago.

They were at their least convincing when asked what has changed on the ground in the intervening period.

In terms of the conflict abating, nothing for the good. Its gruesome scoreboard merely tots up more death and destruction on a daily basis.

Matters within the parish of tennis have become clearer, notably the determination of the global tours to defend the right of players not to be held accountable for the behaviour of their governments, however appalling.

It may be seen as a switch to the wrong side of history for several fans and Ukrainian players

It may be seen as a switch to the wrong side of history for several fans and Ukrainian players 

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World number one Iga Swiatek recently argued that more attention has been paid to the rights of Russian players than of Ukrainians, with their homeland still heavily affected by the invasion

World number one Iga Swiatek recently argued that more attention has been paid to the rights of Russian players than of Ukrainians, with their homeland still heavily affected by the invasion

The other three Grand Slams have acquiesced, too. It has been a rare show of unity in a sport which usually struggles to come up with a cohesive approach to such trivial matters as toilet breaks.

The LTA (which runs UK events outside Wimbledon) was in an especially awkward position, faced with the threat of losing its tournaments. For Wimbledon, being stripped of ranking points again would have been seriously damaging. Whitehall was not prepared to step in and simply refuse visas.

From the ATP and WTA Tours it has been a formidable display of clout. However, as recently pointed out by Poland’s world number one Iga Swiatek, them constantly fretting about the rights of those from Russia and Belarus, rather than Ukrainian players, has been unedifying.

The arguments in play here are not straightforward, and nor should it be assumed that a collection of closet Putin sympathisers are about to be chauffeur-driven to the Centre Court.

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At the Miami Open last week, for instance, I could not help overhear one player from the aggressor countries in question discussing – loudly and in English – the invasion (they will remain anonymous for their protection).

Ukraine tennis star Marta Kostyuk refused to shake the hand of her Russian opponent in Texas

Ukraine tennis star Marta Kostyuk refused to shake the hand of her Russian opponent in Texas

The player repeatedly referred to the war as ‘s**t’. The player also made the observation that the area where they lived felt depressingly hollowed out now, because so many of the brighter young people had moved abroad.

Assuming they sign up – and £50,000 minimum prize money says they will – what awaits this summer at SW19?

Potentially the opprobrium of a crowd not often stirred to hostility. Handshakes being refused by Ukrainian opponents. Buckingham Palace nervously scanning the draw, to see if Kate might be placed in an invidious position for the trophy presentations, come finals weekend.

The last ‘regulation’ Wimbledon was 2019. Four years on and longed-for normality has still not entirely returned.

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