Part of Wimbledon's plans for the 2023 competition has included support for Ukrainian players, refugees, and those affected by war in the country.
The announcement from the All England Tennis Club stated that Ukranian players would receive free accommodation for themselves and another team member for the duration of the grass season. In addition, the organisation stated that it wanted to provide around £500,000 in financial aid for Ukranian relief.
A further initiative will also provide free tickets, refreshments, and transport for up to 1,000 refugees who have settled in Merton and Wandsworth since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ian Hewitt, Chairman of the All England Club outlined the extent of the support as part of a press release ahead of the 2023 Wimbledon tournament.
"We are pleased to share that, in partnership with the LTA, we will donate to Ukrainian relief one pound for each ticketholder at The Championships this year, which will result in a contribution of more than half a million pounds. We will again work with Merton and Wandsworth Councils, and the British Red Cross, to invite 1,000 Ukrainian refugees to join us for a day at Wimbledon, including tickets, food and drink, and transport."
“For the Ukrainian players, the All England Club and the LTA will fund the accommodation costs of two rooms for all Main Draw and Qualifying players for the entirety of the grass court season. Those players will also be offered the opportunity to practise at either the All England Club’s courts or via the LTA at the Surbiton courts between their last match at Roland-Garros and the Saturday prior to Qualifying week at Wimbledon.”
Last month, Wimbledon officially announced that it would allow players from Russia and Belarus to compete in the 2023 edition of the competition. ATP & WTA players from these nations were banned from entering the competition last season due to the war in Ukraine.
However, Hewitt said the decision followed lots of planning and consultation between various parties before it was announced and he outlined Wimbledon's stance on the conflict.
"Our announcement was made last month after careful and deep consideration. At the time, we set out the factors which informed our decision and why, taking all circumstances into account, we consider these to be the appropriate arrangements for Wimbledon this year. It was a difficult and challenging decision, which was made with the full support of our UK Government and the international stakeholder bodies in tennis, but does not lessen in any way our total condemnation of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
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