Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has made it clear that she and the rest of Ukrainian players are not calling for Russian players to be banned completely from competing but admitted they would like to see Russian players make their position clear regarding Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Wimbledon confirmed Russian and Belarusian players won’t be allowed to compete at The Championships this year.
Svitolina, the biggest name in the Ukrainian tennis, was asked to give her thoughts on Wimbledon’s decision.
“We don’t want them banned completely,” Svitolina said on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
“If players don’t speak out against the Russian government then it is the right thing to ban them.
“We just want them to speak up, if they are with us and the rest of the world or the Russian government. This is for me the main point.
“If they didn’t choose, they didn’t vote for this government, then it’s fair they should be allowed to play and compete.”
Svitolina wants Russian, Belarusian players to answer three questions
Several Russian players have called for peace since the start of the war.
However, Svitolina says more needs to be done as simply stating “no wars” is not enough.
“We demand that the WTA, ATP and ITF make sure that players who represent Russia and Belarus answer the following questions,” the message Svitolina posted on her Twitter read.
“1. Do you support Russia’s and Belarus invasion in Ukraine’s territory and as a result of that the war started by those countries?”
“2. Do you support Russia’s and Belarus military activities in Ukraine?”
“3. Do you support [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s and [Belarus President Alexander] Lukashenko’s regime?”
“If applicable, we demand to exclude and ban Russia and Belarusian athletes from competing in any international event, as Wimbledon already done.
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal, and that time is now.”