Wimbledon to appeal WTA fine

The All England Club is to appeal a $1 million fine by the WTA for banning Russian and Belarusian players from tournaments in Britain because of the war in Ukraine.

The Lawn Tennis Association – the British federation for the sport – is also expected to appeal a fine imposed by the WTA after no Russian or Belarusian players were allowed to take part in grass-court tuneup events last month at Eastbourne, Nottingham and Birmingham.

“It’s the subject of a legal process, so I can’t comment specifically on that,” All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said.

“We stand by the decision we made. We’re deeply disappointed at the reaction of the tours to that decision, and I probably can’t say any more than that at this point in time, I’m afraid.”

Bolton said the club was still waiting to hear from the ATP if they are intending to impose a fine as well.