Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou has slammed the choice made by Wimbledon officials to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing at the 2022 Championships. Mouratoglou, who now coaches two-time Grand Slam winner Simona Halep, labelled it a ‘shocking decision’.
On Wednesday, Wimbledon announced Russian and Belarusian players will be barred from taking part in the prestigious tournament, which begins in June. It means the likes of US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, World No 4 Aryna Sabalenka and World No 8 Andrey Rublev will not be playing the grass-court Grand Slam.
After Wimbledon announced the ban, the ATP declared the tournament’s sanctions are ‘unfair’, suggesting the players should be allowed to play but not under the flag of their nations. Coach Patrick Mouratoglou has joined the furious uproar, insisting players from the nations have done enough to prove they oppose the war in Ukraine.
Mouratoglou, who coached Williams from 2012 to 2022, condemned the controversial decision. “Banning Russian and Belarusian players from playing at Wimbledon is a very shocking decision for me,” he told Tennis Majors. “Leave the politics to the politicians. Of course, there is a war. Everyone is against the war, including players from Russia and Belarus.
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