Wimbledon could ban world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev over fears that him winning would be a boost to Russia and Putin

• Russian Danill Medvedev is second best men's tennis player in the world.
• He may be banned from Wimbledon 2022, however, if he does not publicly condemn the Ukraine invasion.

Wimbledon is ready to ban Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev from this year's tournament amid fears that him winning the title could provide a boost to Vladimir Putin, according to The Telegraph.

World number two Medvedev, who has not lived in Russia for over a decade, has yet to publicly condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine despite growing evidence of war crimes, including the execution of civilians in Kyiv suburb of Bucha.

UK sports minister Nigel Huddleston revealed in March that "discussions" were taking place with the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), where Wimbledon is held, over banning athletes who do not denounce Vladimir Putin and Russia's action from entering this year's competition.

Russian and Belarusian athletes have so far been allowed to continue playing in ATP, WTA, and ITF competitions under a neutral flag.

But with the AELTC holding an independent tournament status, a source working closely with the club told the Telegraph that it could ban Medvedev and other Russian and Belarusian athletes without facing legal repercussions.

"Private member clubs have more freedom as to who to allow in or not, so they wouldn't be subject to the same
discrimination laws as the tour," the unnamed source told The Telegraph.

"If you are running the main tennis tour, you have the freedom to ban players — if they have been found guilty of match-fixing or doping, for instance — but you have to be able to show that this course of action is reasonable.

"In this instance, if the tours took strong action, Russians players could argue that they are being prevented from making a living through no fault of their own. That is not so much of an issue for Wimbledon, however."

In a statement sent to Insider, the AELTC said that it is now liaising with the UK government and the Lawn Tennis Association ahead of announcing a verdict on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes before next month's entry deadline.

"We have noted the UK Government's guidance regarding the attendance of Russian and Belarussian individuals in a neutral capacity at sporting events in the UK," the statement said.

"This remains a complex and challenging issue, and we are continuing to engage in discussion with the UK Government, the LTA, and the international governing bodies of tennis.

"We plan to announce a decision in relation to Wimbledon ahead of our entry deadline in mid-May."

Huddleston suggested last week that Medvedev and other players for the two nations could forgo any chance of suspension from Wimbledon by essentially denouncing Putin's actions.

"We wish to get assurance in a written declaration that they are not receiving money from Putin, Russia or Belarus [and] that they will not be making supportive comments of Putin, Russia or Belarus," he said, according to The Telegraph.

"Absolutely nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed or enabled," Huddleston said in March, per Reuters.

Such declarations from players, however, are unlikely given the dangers faced by Russians who publicly condemn the president.