Djokovic gets Nadal’s gripe over seedings

LONDON Spaniard Rafael Nadal received support from Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic on Tuesday after criticizing the unique seedings formula used by the grass-court Grand Slam, which begins Monday at the All England Club.

Nadal looks set to fall victim to the formula that tweaks the seedings based on previous form on grass with the 33-year-old expected to be seeded third behind top-ranked Djokovic and Roger Federer despite being the world No. 2-ranked player.

Wimbledon, which will announce the seedings Wednesday, is the only one of the four Grand Slam tournaments not to stick rigidly to the ATP and WTA rankings.

With Nadal, who is seeking a first Wimbledon title in nine years, seeded third, it would mean he would most probably have to beat eight-time champion Federer and four-time winner Djokovic to get his hands on the trophy for a third time.

“Wimbledon is the only tournament of the year that doesn’t follow the ranking,” Nadal told Spanish television station #Vamos Tuesday.

“It’s their choice. Either way, being second or third seed I have to play at the best level to aspire to the things I aspire to.

“I don’t think it’s a good thing that Wimbledon is the only one with its own seeding formula.”

Nadal lost a semifinal epic to Djokovic last year.

Wimbledon top seed Djokovic said he could understand Nadal’s frustration.

“It’s their rules and you have to respect it, although it’s a little bit surprising, to be honest,” the Serb said.

“Roger is the greatest of all-time and has won the most Wimbledon titles of any player in history and if any player deserves it, it’s him.

“But at the same time it’s Nadal that he is taking over (from as) the second seed, so it’s surprising to be honest.”