The Lawn Tennis Association has been fined £820,000 by the ATP for banning Russian and Belarusian players from playing on grass courts this summer ahead of Wimbledon.
It is also understood that the LTA has been threatened with expulsion from the Tour if it repeats the ban, which was imposed earlier this year as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russians and Belarusians were controversially banned from competing in five ATP LTA events; Queen’s Club, Eastbourne, Surbiton, Nottingham and Ilkley.
The All England Club was stripped of points by the ATP and WTA ahead of Wimbledon
The All England Club also banned them from playing at Wimbledon, which was later stripped of its titles by the ATP and WTA.
The WTA paid the LTA the same amount, which the British tennis governing body has appealed.
The LTA said it was considering its response to the latest sanctions and accused the ATP of a “lack of compassion” for the situation in Ukraine.
The statement reads: “The LTA is deeply disappointed by these results. The ATP, in its investigations, has not shown that it does not approve of the special circumstances created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, or the international sports teams and the way the UK Government has responded to this conflict.
“The ATP seem to see this issue as a direct breach of their rules – it’s a shocking lack of compassion for what happened in Ukraine, and a complete lack of understanding of the unique situation the LTA is facing.
“The income generated by these benefits and the benefits of the WTA will have a significant impact on the LTA’s ability to grow and promote tennis in the country.
“For example, we had the intention of hosting several ATP Challenger level events to provide an opportunity to bring down vulnerable players in the first quarter of 2023 and now we cannot do this, especially given the opportunity to increase the fines.
“We will carefully consider our response and await the outcome of our appeal against the WTA’s decision and penalty.”
Secretary of Culture urges ATP & WTA to reconsider
Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan says the fine is a wrong move by the ATP and WTA
Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan joined the fray, urging the ATP and WTA to reconsider.
“Over the past year, most of the world’s sports community has been united in condemning Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine as reckless and brutal,” Donelan said.
“The UK has taken a leading role globally in developing an international response. We are clear that sport cannot be used to condone this deadly attack, and that athletes representing Russia or Belarus should be banned from competing internationally.
“Despite widespread criticism, the international tennis tour is determined to be short on this, and as a result the ever-increasing income of our domestic sport has failed.
“This is the wrong move by the ATP and the WTA. I urge them to think seriously about the message this sends, and think again.”
