Wimbledon has now lifted its ban on Russian and Belarusian players for the 2023 tournament, but WTA star Iga Swiatek is not sure that was the right decision. In 2022, Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian players following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The tournament will allow players from those countries to compete this year, but it will have to be under a neutral flag.
Swiatek, the No. 1 women’s player in the world, told BBC Sport that banning players from Belarus and Russia again in 2023 would make a difference since sports can be a tool for propaganda.
“I heard that after World War II, German players were not allowed as well as Japanese and Italian, and I feel like this kind of thing would show the Russian government that maybe it’s not worth it,” Swiatek said.
“I know it’s a small thing because we are just athletes, a little piece in the world but I feel like sport is pretty important and sport has always been used in propaganda.
“This is something…
