Tunisian history-maker Ons Jabeur has added her voice to the criticism of Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players, saying she doesn’t understand “how it’s now okay to mix sport and politics.”
Jabeur is the first Arab tennis star – male or female – to enter the top 10 of the world rankings and last year became the first Arab woman to win a WTA Tour title.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Madrid Open this week, the 27-year-old was asked about the topic which has dominated tennis headlines in recent days after Wimbledon organizers revealed their ban on Russian and Belarusian players because of the conflict in Ukraine.
“It’s a very tough decision, I understand what the Ukrainian people are going through and I am totally against war,” said the current world No.10, according to Arab News.
“But what I’ve always been told for so many years is to never mix sports and politics.”