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Daniil Medvedev says he will respect whatever decision Wimbledon makes regarding the participation of Russian players in this year’s tournament amid his country’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
Wimbledon was the only Grand Slam last year to reject players from Russia – including men’s No. 1 Medvedev – and ally Belarus, and tournament officials are expected to announce a policy for this year’s event.
“I have said too much, I will not say anything new. I am for peace,” Medvedev told reporters at the Indian Wells tournament in Southern California.
The 2021 US Open champion, currently ranked sixth in the world, said he was happy to compete but would not try to influence tournament officials.
“I’m not going to make this decision for him or even help him make this decision. He has to make it himself for different reasons like last year,” he said.
Medvedev’s last appearance at Wimbledon is in 2021
“And I always said that I will respect this decision. I play where I can play … tennis is my job so I am very happy to play Wimbledon. I really like the tournament, but if not, I will be very happy. I will wait for the opportunity to come back.”
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has also overcome the situation
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus echoed Medvedev’s sentiments, saying the decision was out of her control but admitting she was banned last year.
“People’s reactions, a few different things made me feel bad – that it was my fault,” he said.
“But then I realized that this was out of my control. I did nothing, nothing bad to the Ukrainian people. It was just not my fault.”
Western military officials estimate the war’s toll on each side at more than 100,000 killed or wounded. Tens of thousands of civilians are also feared dead, while millions have fled the threat of war.
Moscow calls the conflict a “special military operation” to protect security and denies targeting civilians.
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