Russian tennis player claims he's being discriminated against
Summary
Tennis player Andrey Rublev is a highly ranked tennis player, specifically ranked number 8 in men's single's in the world. Currently, there is a Wimbledon ban that prevents any person who is from Russia, be able to compete in any major league tennis matches. After he had won the quarterfinals, he had spoke to a few reporters at the tournament and said that the ban was "illogical and is "complete discrimination." If this ban stands, it will effect many other male, and female tennis players who plan to go onto the semi-finals and the finals. A few quotes from Rublev say "the things that happen now is complete discrimination." "at the end of the day we just want to compete, we are not here to talk about politics, because I have no idea, about any of this." This ban was put into place in February, right after the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out. This ban has left many Russians upset, as all they want to do is play their sport in competitions. Many of these athletes claim that even though they represent their country in sports, and wear their national flag, they do not associate with what their country i doing. Therefore, this shows that all they want to do is play their sport.
My opinion
Firstly, I think that they should be able to compete in sports. Even though are representing Russia, they are not automatically representing what Russia stands for. I do understand where these sport organizations are coming from banning them. I think they just fear that if they would still let them compete. They would be lumped in with Russia and people would automatically assume that they would stand with them. When in most cases, that is not the case. Most of these sports players do not agree with their counties actions at all, all they want to be able to do is play their sport. I remember another example off the top of my head. There was this Russian piano player that had worked his whole life to preform. He had finally booked a place to preform, and last minute the venue cancelled because they didn't want someone who was from Russia preform in their theatre. And again, I understand where these places are coming from. But I feel like there could be ways to do this without potentially destroying someones career. Like for example, sending out a disclaimer to everyone attending the show or sports event that if they have a Russian individual preforming in something, that does not mean that they stand with Russia, they are just simply letting that person do their job.
Title of article:
Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev says Wimbledon ban is "illogical" and "discriminatory"
Date of article:
April 21st, 2021
Page number:
Page 1
Author of story:
Genna Somra and Jill Martin
Link:
https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-04-21-22/index.html
