The ex-first racket of the world reacted to the position of Ukrainian tennis player Sergei Stakhovsky, who called for a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in tournaments due to the war in Ukraine.

Djokovic said he understands the feelings of Ukrainians, but still considers it unfair to remove athletes from aggressor countries.

They, according to the Serb, are not to blame for anything and cannot influence the situation in Ukraine.

" For a long time he was my colleague not only on the court, but also in the Players Council. We have a really good relationship. I contacted him and we talked lately. I understand that he and the Ukrainians are dissatisfied with Russia and what is happening... Of course, I will not comment on and get into the essence of the war... As a child of war and not even one, in fact, I know what emotions it is when you are in such.

But on the other hand, I cannot say that I fully agree with the indefinite ban on Russian and Belarusian players. I just don't see what their contribution was to what's going on.. I don't think it's fair.

I believe that the Russians and Belarusians would agree to compromise, which they had in the situation with the Olympic Games, where they competed under a neutral flag. I think they deserve to win. They deserve competition. They are professional athletes, none of them supported any war or anything like that..

This is a very sensitive topic.. If something happens at the global level, whatever you say as a person from a particular country, it will be evaluated in one way or another. I understand both sides. It's hard to tell what's right and what's wrong. But as an athlete, I put myself in their place - if I was banned from playing due to such circumstances, and there was no my contribution to it, I would not consider this a fair decision.

Let me remind you that in the 90s - from 1992 to 1996 - any athletes from Serbia were not allowed to compete on the international stage in any sport. So I know what these emotions are. At that time I was very young, but I know the athletes of that time and how it affected their lives. Many of them left the sport because 4 years is a very long time.

So that's all I can say,"

Wimbledon became the first international tennis tournament to ban Russians and Belarusians from participating in individual competitions. This decision was not supported at all by international tennis organizations - ATP, WTA and ITF. They decided not to count tennis players' rating points for their performance at Wimbledon.

The upcoming tournament will take place from June 27 to July 10. Four Ukrainian tennis players will compete in the main draw - Angelina Kalinina, Marta Kostyuk, Dayana Yastremska and Lesya Tsurenko. They have already recognized their first rivals.