AELTC to invite Ukrainian refugees to Wimbledon
The All England Lawn Tennis Club plans to invite 1000 Ukrainian refugees for a free day at The Championships at Wimbledon, which the club will stage from July 3 to 16.
“In partnership with the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), we will donate to Ukrainian relief one pound for each ticketholder at The Championships this year, which will result in a contribution of more than half a million pounds,” said Ian Hewitt, Chairman of the All England Club, according to a press release. “We will again work with Merton and Wandsworth Councils, and the British Red Cross, to invite 1,000 Ukrainian refugees to join us for a day at Wimbledon, including tickets, food and drink, and transport.”
The Club announced that, while continuing to oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, they will allow players from Russia and Belarus to compete as “neutral” athletes.
“For the Ukrainian players, the All England Club and the LTA will fund the accommodation costs of two rooms for all Main Draw and Qualifying players for the entirety of the grass court season,” said Mr. Hewitt. “Those players will also be offered the opportunity to practise at either the All England Club’s courts or via the LTA at the Surbiton courts between their last match at Roland-Garros and the Saturday prior to Qualifying week at Wimbledon.”
The Club announced that they received a record number of applications for tickets through the public ballot due to “renewed levels of interest from overseas applicants.”
