- Wimbledon will not to allow Russian players to compete this year, Sportico reported.
- This falls in line with a trend of sports bodies banning Russian and Belarusian athletes due to the war in Ukraine.
- The All England Lawn Tennis Club previously said a Russian win at Wimbledon would be a boost to Putin.
Russian tennis players, including No. 2 world-ranked men's star Daniil Medvedev, will be banned from playing at Wimbledon during this season's third Grand Slam in June, according to a Sportico report.
Sources familiar with the matter told Sportico that Wimbledon has decided to ban Russian competitors even as other major tours and competitions keep Russians and Belarusian athletes competing under a neutral flag.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club, which runs Wimbledon, previously told Insider they would announce the decision in mid-May.
Major sports venues and competitions have barred Russian and Belarusian players as a result of the war in Ukraine. These bans include the Olympics, the World Cup, and the Boston Marathon.
UK sports minister Nigel Huddleston revealed earlier this month that within the AELTC, concerns arose of a potential win from Medvedev aiding Vladimir Putin politically during the war. However, Huddleston told the Telegraph players could avoid missing out on competing by providing "assurance in a written declaration" that they did not support Putin's actions in Ukraine.
Medvedev said in February that he might skip Wimbledon after fans booed him during the Australian Open.
A representative for the AELTC did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
