‘Insane’: Wimbledon draws harsh criticism from Novak Djokovic 0:48 (CNN) — There is a growing disagreement between some of the world’s top tennis stars and their Ukrainian colleagues, both current and former, over Wimbledon’s decision to prevent competitors from Russia and Belarus from participating due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Explaining his position, Wimbledon said he did not want to “benefit the propaganda machine of the Russian regime”. However, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic — who have won 10 Wimbledon titles between them — joined the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). in his opposition to the veto. Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray criticized, during the Madrid Open press conferences, Wimbledon’s decision not to allow Russian and Belarusian tennis players to participate. “I think it’s very unfair (to) my Russian tennis partners, my colleagues,” Nadal said during a news conference on Sunday ahead of the Madrid Open. “It’s not your fault what’s going on right now with the war,” he added. “I’m sorry for them, Wimbledon just made their decision… The government didn’t force them to do it. We’ll see what happens in the next few weeks, if the players make any kind of decision on it,” he insisted. Ukrainian tennis players have largely supported the Wimbledon ban. In that sense, Sergiy Stakhovsky, who retired earlier this year and joined the Ukrainian Army to defend the country from him, rejected Nadal’s position. “@RafaelNadal we compete together… We have faced each other on tour,” Stakhovsky wrote on Twitter. “Please tell me how it is fair that Ukrainian players cannot return home. How is it fair that Ukrainian children cannot play tennis? How is it fair that Ukrainians are dying?” he continued. Several high-profile tennis players will not be able to compete at Wimbledon Wimbledon: Russian and Belarusian tennis players affected 1:21 The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AETLC) decision marks the first time that Russian and Belarusian athletes have been excluded of an elite tennis event, after Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine. In that sense, several high-profile players could not compete. Among them, the male world number 2, Daniil Medvedev, and the female world number 4, Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka of Belarus reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year. Murray, who will donate all of his prize money this season to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine, said he was “not supportive” of the plan to bar Russian and Belarusian players from Wimbledon. But, he added, there was no “right answer” to the complex situation. “What I understand from the measure is that Russians and Belarusians can play if they sign a declaration that they are against the war and against the Russian regime,” he told reporters at the Madrid Open. “I’m not sure how comfortable I would feel if something happened to the players or their families (as a result of that),” he added. Djokovic: “I don’t support the decision” In the days after the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s parliament passed a law that imposes prison sentences of up to 15 years for intentionally spreading “false” news about the military. Which greatly increases the risks of the Russians speaking out against the war. Reigning US Open champion Daniil Medvedev will not be able to compete at Wimbledon this year. Meanwhile, Djokovic referred to his exclusion from the Australian Open for not being vaccinated against covid-19, when he opposed the Wimbledon ban for the second time. “It’s not the same. But going through something similar earlier this year, it’s frustrating knowing you can’t play,” Djokovic said. “I still stand by my position that I don’t support the (Wimbledon) decision. I think it’s not fair, it’s not right, but it is what it is,” he added. Following criticism from the tennis world, the AELTC defended his decision in a press conference last week. “Even if we were to accept registrations from Russian and Belarusian players with written declarations, we would run the risk that their success or participation in Wimbledon would be used to benefit the Russian regime’s propaganda machine. Something we could not accept,” the tournament president said. Ian Hewitt told reporters last Tuesday. The affected tennis players have not yet announced a coordinated response. But, the ATP and WTA are discussing countermeasures that could include the removal of Wimbledon ranking points. In a recent interview with CNN, Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk spoke about the psychological impact the Russian invasion has had on her. Medvedev would face hurdles to play at Wimbledon 0:40 “I started a couple of weeks ago, which helps me tremendously. But you know, sometimes it gets to a certain point where it’s scary, the thoughts that come to you,” said Kostyuk, who is extremely aware of the importance of trying to manage his feelings and says he has been working with a psychologist. “I don’t want to say the words because you know, you can understand what I’m trying to talk about,” she added. “Because at that point, there’s so much going on, you need to carry so much at once that you’re like, ‘I can’t handle this anymore.'” “I’m like, what is the point that all this comes to? It never ends, what do I do with my life now? What am I living for?”, she completed.