Tennis nice Billie Jean King urged Wimbledon on Wednesday to raise its ban on Russian and Belarusian gamers, saying “life is too short”.
Players from each international locations had been barred from the Grand Slam final yr over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the match stripped of rating factors because of this.
The All England Club is contemplating whether or not to do the identical once more this yr however King known as on them to drop the ban.
“Just keep it the same way as the other ones are. Life is too short,” she informed reporters on the Australian Open. “I think they should get prize money. Just have them play and get their money.” Players from Russia and Belarus are competing on the Australian Open as independents below a impartial white flag.
Two Belarusians – Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabelenka – are into the semi-finals and will meet in Saturday’s title match.
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan can also be within the final 4, regardless of being seeded solely 22 after lacking out on rankings factors for profitable the main.
“It’s the ranking points, for sure. They have to have it. Rybakina, they’ve seeded her 22, but because she won Wimbledon she’s not (seeded higher),” mentioned King.
DJOKOVIC ISSUES CHEEKY CHALLENGE TO FEDERER
Roger Federer might not be on the ATP Tour however that hasn’t stopped his adversaries from conserving a detailed eye on what he’s doing.
And with regards to Novak Djokovic, the aggressive rivalry nonetheless exists – even when it might play out in one other sport.
Fresh off his quarter-final smashing of Russian Andrey Rublev, Djokovic gave a shout-out to Federer in his post-match interview and issued a cheeky problem to the Swiss celebrity.
“Let’s give a big round of applause to Roger guys,” he mentioned.
“Tennis misses him for sure. I’ve seen him dressing up very sharply for fashion week.
“Yeah, I‘ve seen him skiing. I want to challenge him to a little skiing race in few years’ time.
“But yeah, he‘s enjoying life for sure. It’s nice to see that.
“Obviously for tennis, he’s been one of the most important players ever to play the game. So, big regards to him and his family.”
While we might love one final Djokovic v Federer showdown on the tennis courtroom, the snow is likely to be all we will hope for.
Originally revealed as Australian Open Day 11 stay scores: Women’s semi-finals
