Wimbledon's move to ban Russians and Belarusians from the 2022 competition earned a mixed reaction after the French Open — the previous grand slam in the calendar year — decided not to bar players from the countries.
Organisers said they had chosen to turn down entries from players of the nationalities as a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, adding that they made the call with "deep regret" because they did not want the "Russian regime to derive any benefits" from stars who would have been involved.
The second seeds in the men's and women's singles competitions in 2021 — Russia's Daniil Medvedev and Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka — missed out on the action at SW19 as a result of the move.
Will Russians and Belarusians take part at Wimbledon 2023? Here's what the London major has said about this year's tournament and what it means for the players concerned.
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Are Russians and Belarusians allowed to play at Wimbledon?
In an update on March 31, 2023, Wimbledon said it intended to accept Russian and Belarusian players as long as they play as neutral athletes and "comply with appropriate conditions".
Players will be barred from showing support for the invasion, which began in February 2022, and will not be able to receive funding or support from the Russian or Belarusian states or companies linked to them.
The UK government and tennis governing bodies the LTA, ATP, WTA and ITF support the decision and have contributed to the creation of declarations players will be required to make in order to be allowed to take part.
"We continue to condemn totally Russia’s illegal invasion and our wholehearted support remains with the people of Ukraine," said Ian Hewitt, the Chairman of the All England Club.
"This was an incredibly difficult decision, not taken lightly or without a great deal of consideration for those who will be impacted."
Which players from Russia and Belarus could play Wimbledon?
World number three Medvedev, number seven Andrey Rublev and number 11 Karen Khachanov are the most prominent Russian players in the men's rankings.
Wimbledon is the only major at which Medvedev is yet to reach the quarterfinals, but he did win the US Open in 2021.
Khachanov reached the quarterfinals in the same year for his best Wimbledon run to date, when Rublev's exit in the fourth round represented the furthest he has gone there.
The highest-ranked Belarusian is world number 96 Ilya Ivashka, who reached the fourth round in 2021 in his first appearance in the main draw.
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There are seven Russians ranked in the women's singles top 50, the highest of whom is world number 11 and 2018 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Daria Kasatkina.
World number two Aryna Sabalenka is Belarusian. The 25-year-old won this year's Australian Open and reached the semifinals in Paris, so she will hope to improve on her run to the final four at Wimbledon in 2021.
Are Russians and Belarusians allowed to play at the other grand slams?
Wimbledon was unique among majors in preventing players from the countries taking part in 2022, with other grand slam competitions allowing them to compete as neutrals since the invasion began.
"We also consider alignment between the grand slams to be increasingly important in the current tennis environment," Hewitt said as part of his reasoning for easing the restrictions.
What has the reaction been to Wimbledon lifting the ban?
The men's ATP and Women's LTA tours said they were "pleased" with the agreement. "It has taken a collaborative effort across the sport to arrive at a workable solution which protects the fairness of the game," they said.
"This remains an extremely difficult situation and we would like to thank Wimbledon and the LTA for their efforts in reaching this outcome, while reiterating our unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s war on Ukraine."
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, savaged the move as "immoral". "Has Russia ceased its aggression or atrocities?" he asked.
"No, it’s just that Wimbledon decided to accommodate two accomplices in crime. I call on the UK government to deny visas to [Russian and Belarusian] players."
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UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer outlined the conditions allowing the change in policy. "Throughout [Vladimir] Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine, we have been clear that Russian and Belarusian athletes representing their country should not be permitted in domestic and international sporting competitions," she explained.
"That position still stands. Individual, self-funded Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete in the UK, subject to following our guidance on neutrality."
Medvedev and Khachanov both signalled their relief. "I always said that if I can play Wimbledon, I will be really happy to be there," said Medvedev.
"That’s a tournament I love. That’s the only slam where I haven’t been in the quarters yet. I really want to do well there. It’s a beautiful tournament and I’m happy that I have the chance to play this year.
"I don’t know what the crowd reaction is going to be. I can’t control it but I will be happy to play there in front of all the people, hopefully on big courts, and hopefully have some big, amazing matches."
Khachanov joined Medvedev in pointing out that he did not have any Russian sponsors. "It’s a really, really great and special event in tennis history, so that’s why I’m really happy," he said.
What is the Wimbledon schedule in 2023?
The 2023 edition of Wimbledon will stick to being a 14-day competition with no rest day on the middle Sunday as was the tradition before last year's tournament.
The middle Sunday had originally been used to work on the condition of the grass courts in SW19, but organisers now believe that the quality of the surfaces can take the wear and tear of an additional day of action.
Here's the full schedule for the men's and women's single competitions at Wimbledon 2023.
| Day | Schedule |
| July 3-4 | First round |
| July 5-6 | Second round |
| July 7-8 | Third round |
| July 9-10 | Fourth round |
| July 11-12 | Quarterfinals |
| July 13 | Women's semifinals |
| July 14 | Men's semifinals |
| July 15 | Women's final |
| July 16 | Men's final |
