Queens and Eastbourne under threat if ban on Russian and Belarusian is carried over

Those who run tennis in the UK fear that prestigious tournaments like the ones at Queen’s Club and Eastbourne could end up being lost to Britain unless they allow the Russians to play on grass this summer.

That’s the sobering reality as Wimbledon and the Lawn Tennis Association weigh a decision on this controversial issue, ahead of the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

A U-turn from last year’s ban seems increasingly necessary, unless the government intervenes by refusing to issue visas to major players in both Russia and its ally Belarus.

While most of the attention has naturally been focused on the Wimbledon position, it has emerged that the biggest specific concern among GB tennis bosses relates to the fate of events such as the Cinch Championships at Queen’s and the popular pre-SW19 event in Eastbourne.

The LTA, which owns these, is currently in danger of a full ban from running events if the ban is repeated. There is now the implicit threat that if the licenses are withdrawn, they will be put up for sale on the open market and bought by federations or foreign investors and played elsewhere.

Fears have been raised that the Queens and Eastbourne tournaments could be threatened if the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes is extended until this season.

Daniil Medvedev is one of the most prominent players to have suffered as a result of last year’s suspension.

It would devastate the national pre-Wimbledon program and drastically reduce the visibility of the sport to the national public who want to see Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu. It also affects annual tournaments held in places like Nottingham, Surbiton and Ilkley.

In addition, there could be more seven-figure fines on top of those already imposed, as the men’s and women’s tours stick to the principle that their members should not be punished for the sins of governments.

“The situation is extremely dire and I don’t think many people have appreciated the full impact,” a senior source said.

World tennis has remained solidly controversial by offering a high-profile weekly platform to players from Russia and Belarus, Britain being the exception, plus some smaller Baltic states.

Last year, Wimbledon and the LTA banned players from the aggressor nations from playing at UK grass events, resulting in The Championships running out of ranking points.

With no end in sight to the terrible suffering in Ukraine, the British game faces only worst-case scenarios, barring some miraculous burst of peace. Discussions are ongoing about the nasty options on offer, and Sportsmail understands that there is one option that is gaining particular support.

That presents the government with the concept that if they have such a strong opinion on the issue, then the onus for refusing visas to enter the UK should fall on them.

This would effectively take matters out of the hands of the tennis authorities and should save them from further punishment at the hands of the international tours. The ATP has already halved the LTA’s voting rights on broader tour issues.

However, the government is said to be reluctant to deny visas, thus setting a precedent.

If that is the case and the ban is simply lifted, there will be a price to pay in terms of public opinion, given Wimbledon’s iconic status. MPs will voice their condemnation, and relations with Whitehall and even the Royals, who are highly valued by SW19, could be damaged.

The alternative is seen to be worse, although in terms of player participation Wimbledon itself is largely isolated. Prize money of over £40m and great prestige will always ensure a strong international field, no matter what ranking points are at stake. It is the more regular events that are threatened.

Matteo Berrettini celebrates with the trophy his victory in Queens last season

The dilemma also comes at a time when the ATP intends to create a new major Masters 1000 event on grass. At least two British consortia are interested in buying the rights, with the potential to build a new site south of London.

An LTA spokesperson was cautious on the broader issue of player bans, saying: “We are continuing discussions with the AELTC, the UK government and tours on this issue, and hopefully we can announce a result as soon as possible. soon as possible”. Wimbledon declined to comment.

If the only option is a simple reversal of the policy on Russians and Belarusians, there will still be uncomfortable questions to answer.

The most important of these is exactly what has changed since the principled stance was adopted last year, other than the massive scale of devastation and death wrought by Putin’s aggression.

When the decision was announced in April, All England chairman Ian Hewitt said: “We believe this is an extreme and exceptional situation that takes us well beyond the interests of tennis.” Government, industrial, sports and creative institutions are all playing their part in efforts to limit Russia’s global influence.”

Both he and chief executive Sally Bolton repeatedly cited “directive guidance” from the government. It’s a somewhat confusing and contradictory phrase, which sounded suspiciously like it was invented by advertising experts.

An initial anxiety that will have eased in the meantime is that the major players in the two aggressor nations have been extremely careful not to back the war.

They have been disciplined about dead batting questions on the subject and, fearful of the consequences, have resorted to platitudes about being against all violence and war.

Men’s world number five Andrey Rublev and women’s number nine Daria Kasatkina have come closest to hinting at any revulsion at their government’s policies.

The stance ban is that the Russian and Belarusian players from last year’s tournament will apparently have to be banned.

Neither is likely to win on grass if allowed in, but the reality of Wimbledon is that Aryna Sabalenka, the new Australian Open champion from Belarus, definitely could.

The truth is that twelve months have not been bad for this group, as shown by the world ranking. A year ago there were three players from those nations in the top 20 of the WTA, and two occupying that group in the men’s game.

There are now six in the women’s top twenty from the aggressor countries, and three in the top 20 on the men’s side. Twelve players from Russia and Belarus reside in the top 100, and six are atop the ATP charts.

Five Ukrainian women are also in the top 100, which does not include their highest-profile player, Elina Svitolina, who was absent giving birth to her first child. Distraught at having to continue competing against players from nations that are destroying their country, most have already spoken out against the idea of ​​Russian athletes competing at Wimbledon, or the International Olympic Committee allowing them to return.