BBC Online :
Russian and Belarusian players will not be allowed to compete at Wimbledon this year because of the invasion of Ukraine.
Men’s world number two Daniil Medvedev of Russia and women’s world number four Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus are the highest-ranked players to be affected.
Players from both countries have been allowed to compete on the tennis tour but not under their national flags.
Wimbledon takes place from 27 June to 10 July.
It is understood the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) will confirm the move later on Wednesday.
Sabalenka reached the semi-finals of last year’s tournament, while Medvedev reached the fourth round.
Russian world number 15 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova – who called for the war to stop earlier this year – and 18th-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will also miss out.
Russia’s Andrey Rublev is eighth in the men’s standings, with compatriot Karen Khachanov 26th.
They will all still be able to compete at the French Open, which begins in May.
The AELTC, which organises the grass-court Grand Slam, consulted the government in April about whether to allow players to compete.
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston previously said “nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed” to play at Wimbledon.
