The three players — who have won ten Wimbledon titles together — joined ATP and WTA in opposing the ban.
“I think it’s very unfair to my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues,” Nadal said at a press conference ahead of the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday. “It’s not their fault what’s happening to the war right now.
“I’m sorry for them, Wimbledon just made their decision… the government didn’t force them to do it. Let’s see what happens in the coming weeks, if the players will make some kind of decision in that regard. “
Ukrainian players have largely supported the Wimbledon ban, and Sergiy Stakhovsky — who retired earlier this year and has since joined the Ukrainian military to defend his homeland — condemned Nadal’s stance.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AETLC) decision marks the first time Russian and Belarusian players have been banned from an elite tennis event following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Several high-profile players would not be able to compete, including the No. 2 of the men’s world Daniil Medvedev and the No. 4 of the women’s world Aryna Sabalenka.
“My understanding of the directive was that Russians and Belarusians can play if they sign a declaration that they are against the war and against the Russian regime,” he told journalists at the Madrid Open.
“I’m not sure how comfortable I would feel if something happened to any of the players or their families (as a result).”
In the days following their invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s parliament passed a law imposing prison terms of up to 15 years for deliberately spreading “fake” news about the military, greatly increasing the risk to individual Russians speaking out against the war. .
“It’s not the same, but when I experienced something similar for myself earlier this year, it’s frustrating to know you can’t play,” said Djokovic. “I stand by my position that I don’t support the (Wimbledon) decision. I just don’t think it’s fair, it’s not right, but it is what it is.”
“Even if we accepted submissions from Russian and Belarusian players with written statements, we would risk their success or participation in Wimbledon being used to benefit the Russian regime’s propaganda machine, which we could not accept.” , said tournament president Ian Hewitt. reporters last Tuesday.
The players have not yet announced a coordinated response, but the ATP and WTA are reportedly discussing countermeasures, including removing ranking points from Wimbledon.