The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had an impact on millions of people's lives in the area as well as the tennis community. Tennis players from Russia and Belarus have been subject to limitations, bans, and boycotts at various competitions and grand slams since the conflict began in February 2023, while players from Ukraine have voiced their dissatisfaction and concern for their nation.
Wimbledon made one of the most disputed choices when it disallowed players from Belarus and Russia from competing at 2022 grass-court major, citing worries about Russian propaganda and state-sponsored doping. The ATP and WTA Tours disqualified the tournament from earning ranking points and expressed their opposition to discrimination based on nationality in response to the suspension. Wimbledon asserted that it was acting in conformity with its beliefs and traditions and denied that its prohibition was discriminatory.
For the 2023 event, Wimbledon changed its mind and permitted Russian and Belarusian players to enter as neutrals, without showing their flag or nation, after a year of negotiations and pressure from players and sponsors. Additionally, the participants are forbidden from endorsing the conflict or accepting funds from the governments of Belarus or Russia or from organisations associated with them. Wimbledon has made an effort of supporting all Ukrainian players by offering to pay for their lodging throughout the entire grass court season.
Being forced to play players from Belarus and Russia has caused friction and animosity in certain Ukrainian players. Marta Kostyuk, the world's No. 35 tennis player and a native of Kyiv, declared at the beginning of the year that she would not shake hands with Russian or Belarusian athletes as long as hostilities continue in her nation. When Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka approached her at the net at the French Open, she was booed; Sabalenka later apologised and claimed she understood why Ukrainian players wouldn't shake her hand.
“About the war situation, I said it many, many times, nobody in this world – Russian athletes, Belarusian athletes – supports the war, nobody,” Sabalenka said after her first-round victory against Kostyuk. “How can we support the war? Normal people will never support it.”
Lesia Tsurenko, a player for Ukraine, has likewise resisted shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian rivals after games. She pulled out of her match against Sabalenka in the third round at Indian Wells in March citing "personal reasons," which prompted demands for increased assistance for Ukrainian players on the WTA Tour.
