Russians emerge as Wimbledon winners after charm offensive as ‘neutrals’

Russians such as Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva have made an unlikely impact on and off court after last year’s ban

It has been a bounce-back tournament for Wimbledon: the crowds have returned and there’s a buzz around the grounds. The tennis has been engaging too, with the emergence of Carlos Alcaraz as a genuine contender and a series of upsets in the women’s draw. Among all the successes of the 2023 championships there is another, less welcome, winner, however, and that’s Russia.

Russian players, alongside those from Belarus, were banned from participating in last year’s tournament after the invasion of Ukraine. This year, after Wimbledon found itself alone and under political and financial pressure, that position was reversed. Players could return as long as they did not compete under a flag and had signed a “personal declaration of neutrality” as part of their terms of entry. By the time the first round started, 18 Russians and Belarusians were in competition.