Twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova opposed the grasscourt grand slam’s decision to lift its ban on Russian and Belarusian players ahead of this year’s tournament, saying she felt for the Ukrainians amid Moscow’s ongoing invasion of their country.

Wimbledon, the only grand slam to bar players from Russia and its ally Belarus, said on Friday it would allow them to compete as “neutral” athletes, reversing the ban it imposed after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Kvitova, a Czech who won Wimbledon titles in 2011 and 2014, said players from Russia and Belarus should also be banned from the Paris Olympics next year.

“I always state that I’m against the war. I’m just more worried about the Ukrainian people and players,” Kvitova said on Friday after her Miami Open semi-final win over Sorana Cirstea.

Wimbledon organisers AELTC, defending what they called “an incredibly difficult decision”, said they “condemn totally Russia’s illegal invasion” and would bar players from expressing support for it. Due to last year’s ban, Wimbledon was stripped of its ranking points. Its organisers and Britain’ Lawn Tennis Association were hit with huge fines by the WTA and ATP Tours, which govern the men’s and women’s games.

“I appreciate that Wimbledon had a tough time last year not giving the points (after) Belarusians and Russians didn’t play,” world No. 12 Kvitova said. “They should not be allowed in the Olympics either,” she said.

The International Olympic Committee is set to decide later on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Paris Games.

Ukraine has threatened to boycott the Games if Russians are allowed to compete there.