14 July 2023 , 08:50
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Victoria Azarenka believes last year's Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes "didn't achieve anything" as the tournament responded to the war in Ukraine.
Azarenka, herself from Belarus, was unable to play at SW19 as the All-England Club took a strong view on the topic, which later landed them in hot water with the tennis authorities. Those from Russia and Belarus were allowed to compete in the other three Grand Slams in 2022.
This year normal service has been resumed despite the war still going on in Eastern Europe. Azarenka was lobbying for different measures 12 months ago as she suggested prize money being handed to a humanitarian fund, only to see her wishes fall on deaf ears.
She told Up Front with Simon Jordan : "I'm not going to sit here and say it was a good move. I'm not sure it achieved anything, maybe some people think otherwise. I thought there were better situations of how to handle that.
"I was part of proposing those - I thought donating money to a humanitarian aid, which I said I would and I got other players to agree to. I think that would've been a lot more helpful. It would've shown unity - people do want to help."
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Azarenka competed at this year's championship, losing in the fourth round against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. Fellow Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka made the last four whilst Russia's Daniil Medvedev is still vying for the title in the men's draw.
With so many possible winners coming from the two previously banned countries Azarenka, a two-time Grand Slam winner, has questioned how this year differs from last year with Russia continuing to mount an invasion into Ukraine.
Russia's Danni Medvedev has reached the last four in the men's drawShe said: "Is this year any different? That's the point. I think there were a few options to prevent propoganda. Don't do media, maybe don't do a ceremony. We wanted to play, to do our job we've been doing our whole lives.
"To be frank I don't understand how an individual athlete, playing an individual sport, is representing their country. Also, before the war, this was all celebrated with your flag up - we never asked for that."
This year, Azarenka and those from Russia and Belarus have had to play as neutral athletes. Their nationality hasn't been shown next to their name nor have they got a flag beside them in the draw. The Belarusian was keen to point out that it was never the players who were pushing for their nations to be recognised after tournament wins.
"There is no accountability for people who've been pushing flags, where you're from, etc. But when it became this difficult situation, now it is a problem," she added.