Wimbledon laid down its controversial ban on Russian and Belarus players unilaterally, without any consultation with players, according to ATP player representative John Millman.
The irate Aussie let his feelings on the affair be known after a straight-sets first-round loss to Sebastian Korda in the French Open first round.
Millman blasted the All England Club for failing to confer with players to find alternatives to the all-or-nothing diktat brought on by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As a result of the club’s decision, the ATP and WTA have stripped the Grand Slam of its ranking points, a harsh measure which is likely to lead to many players saying “why bother?”
“There were two options – recommendations, not even laws – given by the UK government. One, to sign a declaration and be able to play and the other one to ban them,” Millman said.
“Without really any consultation, a unilateral decision was made to ban players. It just goes against what tennis is about.
“I have a problem with lack of communication. The Player Council, player reps on the ATP board, hadn’t been consulted until after the decision had been made.
“The Russian and Belarusian players weren’t even asked if they’d sign the declaration prior to this decision being made. We talk about their safety. They weren’t even asked if they could sign it.
“And this is where the governance is wrong in tennis, at grand slam level. Because it should be a partnership.”
