Dominic THIEM (AUT) is seen at his press conference after his win over Dominik KOEPFER (GER) during Day 3 of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT Tennis Australia/ VINCE CALIGIURI
By Bill Scott
Dominic Thiem on Sunday refused to condemn Wimbledon for its ban on Russian and Belarus players, saying the root of the problem is the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Austrian who lost his sixth match in a row, going out in the first round of the French Open 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to South American Hugo Dellien was not about apportioning blame.
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Wimbledon was stripped of its ranking point by the ATP and WTA at the weekend several weeks after the club announced its selective player ban.
“It’s a tough decision for everybody: for some players. Already it’s probably very painful, (like for 2021 finalist Matteo) Berrettini or Novak (Djokovic) or (Marton) Fucsovics,” Thiem said.
“We always have to keep in mind the big picture: (the Ukraine invasion is bigger than) Wimbledon or our tennis world.
“It’s just really no problem at all, the real problem is there in Ukraine and let’s hope that there is peace very soon again.”
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