Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray insists he won’t be “going nuts” if the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) decide to allow Russians and Belarusians to play at this year’s event.
The former World No.1 was asked his thoughts following reports that an upcoming announcement will see SW19 chiefs allow players from Russia and Belarus to play Wimbledon this year following last year’s ban amid Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Wimbledon was stripped of ranking points due to the ban and the ATP and WTA fined the LTA £1.4m for excluding players from the preceding tour events. Murray – who donated more than £500,000 of his 2022 prize money to help Ukrainian children affected by the Russian invasion – had previously stated his opposition to last year’s ban.
Speaking exclusively to Russell Fuller from the BBC, he admitted bosses at the grass-court event were faced with a tough decision to make. Speaking at this week’s Indian Wells tournament, Murray said:
"It's a really difficult one, and I do feel for the players who weren't able to play last year - but I also understand the situation and why it's really hard for Wimbledon to make a call on it as well. My understanding is that they are going to be allowed to play and I'm not going to be going nuts if that is the case. But if Wimbledon went down another route, I would be understanding of that."
The three-time major winner is preparing for his charge at the ATP Masters 1000 in the Californian desert this week after reaching his first ATP final of the year in Doha 10 days ago. The World No.55 will begin against Tomas Etcheverry of Argentina in the first round of the draw on Thursday. Potentially, he can meet one of the fellow Brits, Jack Draper or Daniel Evans, and he spoke about that too:
"To be honest, I don't really care that much. Obviously I can see why it's interesting. And if Evo plays against Jack I'll be interested in the match. But I'm not particularly bothered by it and for me it's not going to impact me until the third round. I need to get there and this is not always a tournament where I have played amazing."
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