Former world number one and multiple Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King is calling on Wimbledon organizers to crack down on athletes from Russia and Belarus at the 2023 Grand Slams.
Billie Jean King calls for reinstatement of athletes from Russia and Belarus at Wimbledon 2023
Billie Jean King, 79, says life is too short and athletes deserve to play and get paid to compete.
“Keep going like the other Grand Slams are doing. Life is too short. Let the athletes play and get their money,” Billie Jean King said, according to AFP.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus were not admitted to the 2022 edition because of the war that Vladimir Putin started against Ukraine.
In response to this ban, the ATP and WTA decided not to award points to players who participated in the All England Club major tournament.
Who is Billie Jean King?
Billie Jean King was born on November 22, 1943 in Long Beach, California, and first climbed to the top of the WTA rankings in 1966.
He won the following Grand Slam singles titles: Australian Open (1968), Roland Garros (1972), Wimbledon (1966, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1975) and US Open (1967, 1971, 1972, 1974) .
Source: Hot News
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