Novak believes that representatives of aggressor countries should participate in tournaments, despite the war in Ukraine
Former world number one Novak Djokovic reacted to the position Sergei Stakhovsky, which calls for a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in tournaments due to the war in Ukraine. The Serb believes that the representatives of the aggressor countries should compete and do not deserve to be removed.
“Of course, I have known Sergei for a long time. For a long time he was my colleague not only on the court, but also in the Players’ Council. We have a really good relationship. I contacted him and we talked recently. I understand that he and the Ukrainians feel dissatisfied with Russia and what is happening. Of course, I will not comment or get into the essence of the war. As a child of war and not even one, in fact, I know what emotions it is when you are in this position, ”said Djokovic.
“But, on the other hand, I cannot say that I fully agree with the indefinite ban on performances by Russian players, Belarusian players. I just don’t see what their contribution was to anything that’s actually going on. I don’t feel it’s fair.”
“I think that the Russian and Belarusian players would agree to compromise, which they had in the situation with the Olympics, where they already played under a neutral flag. I feel they deserve to win. They deserve to compete. They are professional athletes. None of them supported any war or anything like that.”
“This is a very sensitive topic. As soon as something like this happens on a global level, whatever you say as a person, being from one country or another, it will be condemned one way or another.
“I understand both sides. It’s really hard to tell what’s right and what’s wrong. But in my heart as an athlete, when I put myself in the position that I would be banned from playing because of such circumstances, and there was no my contribution to it, I would not feel that it would be fair to do so.
“Let me remind you that in the 90s, from 1992 to 1996, any athletes from Serbia were not allowed to compete on the international stage in any sport. So I know what those emotions are. I know many athletes. At that time I was very young, but I know the athletes who competed at that time. I know how it affected their lives. Many of them left the sport, because 4 years is a very long time. Yes, that’s all I can say.”
See also: Dolgopolov and Stakhovsky visited the front line in the Donetsk region and transferred assistance to Ukrainian soldiers
The membership of the tennis federations of Russia and Belarus in the ITF was suspended after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but at the individual level, representatives of the aggressor countries are allowed to tournaments under a neutral flag.
The exception was the British tournaments, including Wimbledon, which this year did not allow Russians and Belarusians to participate in their competitions.
Ukraine resists full-scale Russian invasion 122nd day.
Source: Sportarena
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