Wimbledon has been the only Grand Slam which has not allowed players from both countries to compete since the war in Ukraine, but the decision has regularly faced criticism from International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, who has cited it as an example of "political interference" in sport.

The IOC itself has recommended the non-participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes at international competitions since the end of February last year, but the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tours have allowed them to play as neutrals.

British tennis' governing body the Lawn Tennis Association was fined by the WTA and ATP, and Wimbledon organisers the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) by the WTA.

The Grand Slam was also stripped of its ranking status.

This year, the LTA had reportedly been threatened by the ATP and WTA with losing pre-Wimbledon tournaments including the Queen's Club Championships and Birmingham Classic if the ban persisted.

According to British newspaper the Daily Mail, the AELTC is set to allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete under a neutral flag at Wimbledon having been subject to significant pressure, although they could be expelled for showing support for the invasion of Ukraine.

A requirement for Russian and Belarusian players to sign a Code of Conduct is one possibility, and Russian flags are expected to be banned from the AELTC.

Confirmation of the decision is expected next month.

A Wimbledon spokesperson said a decision had yet to be taken, the Daily Mail reported.

Russia's men's singles world number six and seven Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, and newly crowned Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus were among the players impacted by the Wimbledon ban last year.

Britain's two-time Wimbledon and Olympic champion Andy Murray said he appreciated it was a tough decision, but expected Russian and Belarusian players to take part this year.

"It's a really difficult one and I do feel for the players who weren't able to play last year - but I also understand the situation and why it's really hard for Wimbledon to make a call on it as well," Murray told national broadcaster the British Broadcasting Corporation.

"My understanding is that they are going to be allowed to play and I'm not going to be going nuts if that is the case.

"But if Wimbledon went down another route I would be understanding of that."

Medvedev said he would "respect" organisers' decision, but would be "really happy" to return to Wimbledon.

Russian and Belarusian flags had initially been allowed at the Australian Open in January, but were banned when the Russian flag was seen during the first-round match between Ukraine's Kateryna Baindl and Russian neutral Kamilla Rakhimova in Melbourne Park.

This did not stop the controversy at the tournament, however, and the father of Serbia's men's singles world number one Novak Djokovic was pictured with supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin at Melbourne Park.

Rublev was also the subject of alleged verbal abuse from spectators holding a Ukrainian flag in his second-round victory against Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori.

The IOC has cited the example of tennis' tours in defending its divisive move to "explore a pathway" for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to competitions.