The ATP had criticized the decision of those responsible for Wimbledon. This criticism was also shared by the top German player Alexander Zverev, who starts in Halle. While the Haller tournament is held under the umbrella of the players’ organization ATP, the Grand Slam tournaments such as Wimbledon are organized by the ITF (International Tennis Federation).
More Russian starters possible
At the Terra Wortmann Open, the Haller tournament is also called “Little Wimbledon”, two players in the world rankings, Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov (currently 26th in the world rankings), are affected by the Wimbledon exclusion. Medvedev surprisingly failed in the first round to Jan-Lennard Struff (Warstein) last year.
Halle’s tournament director Weber did not rule out that other professionals would serve in Halle alongside Medvedev and Khachanov. For example, the Russian Andrej Rublev, Halle finalist last year and on friendly terms with Alexander Zverev, could still register for the tournament in East Westphalia.
After the war broke out, Rublev took a clear position on social networks and spoke of acts contrary to international law. He saw clear discrimination in the Wimbledon exclusion.