Alexander Zverev is the latest player to join a growing list of current and former players who spoke out against the Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian players.
The 25-year-old German, currently ranked third in the world, said he sees "no reason why" players from Russia or Belarus "shouldn't play in Wimbledon." He's not the only one, as many players have spoken out against the ban, including players who are not affected by it.
Tennis legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova also publicly opposed the decision. Zverev said "it's absolutely correct" that Russian and Belarussian teams are banned from tennis competitions, but he can not understand the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from Wimbledon.
"That is something against Russia, I understand that. I think we are all against the war, what is happening in Ukraine is inhumane and shouldn't be happening."
Zverev, who was born to Russian parents in Hamburg, Germany, also revealed he spoke to Andrey Rublev, a longtime close friend of his, about the issue. Rublev is one of the players who disagreed with the decision, calling it "complete discrimination."
"I have spoken to Andrey. He (Rublev) is also ready to help Ukraine. He is ready to oppose the war, he is ready to send his prize money to Ukraine."
According to the German, Rublev is ready to donate his prize money to Ukraine or help the country in any other way. In addition, the Russian publicly opposed the war one day after it started writing on the camera in Dubai, 'NO WAR PLEASE.'
He was one of the first players to oppose the war and the first Russian player to do so. Rublev's intentions seem to be clear, and it's a really unfortunate situation for the Russian, who found support, at least from his good friend Zverev.