“We saw Rublev writing ‘No to war please’ on camera. I think that’s an important message. We want these players to play, to be able to express their feelings, for this to reach their people, their country. To give your own version of the story. Overall, We are for justice and freedom, and we are clearly against war, and we will continue to fight for these principles.”
Godenzi’s words come after the WTA offered to retroactively reduce its £830,000 ($1 million) fine, taking the amount to £415,000 ($500,000) if the British Tennis Governing Council reverses the ban this year and allows Russian players And the Belarusians are like an Australian. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka to compete in warm-up events in Nottingham, Birmingham and Eastbourne.
The LTA, meanwhile, faced the risk of losing tournament licenses for events including the ATP 500 at Queen’s and Challengers in Surbiton and Ilkley if it banned players from the two countries again this year. The body was threatened with expulsion from both tours if they reinstated the ban, which would see their licenses removed and potentially put on the open market for tennis bodies in other countries to buy and stage events abroad.
