SW19 snubbed
Tours strip Wimbledon of ranking points over Russia ban
THIS year’s Wimbledon was last night stripped of ranking points, in retaliation for its decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus.
In a highly provocative move, the ATP and WTA Tours have decided that the tournament will not contribute towards the official rankings, thereby giving it almost exhibition status.
The ATP argued their case in a statement, saying: ‘Unilateral decisions of this nature, if unaddressed, set a damaging precedent for the rest of the Tour.’
Players will lose their expiring points from 2021, and Novak Djokovic, for example, will not be able to retain the 2,000 points he won a year ago. As expected, the pre-Wimbledon events in the UK run by the Lawn Tennis Association have been spared the same treatment. However, in a later statement, the WTA went further in placing the LTA-run grasscourt events on probation.
Wimbledon last night responded: ‘We wish to state our deep disappointment at the decisions. We remain unwilling to accept success at Wimbledon being used to benefit the propaganda machine of the Russian regime.’
Sportsmail understands that more than 100 singles and doubles players signed a letter protesting the measure, seeing it as heaping one unfairness on the other, and this is unlikely to be the end of the matter.
As the reality sinks in, there will be pressure for a rethink, and not just from the large number who are going to see their rankings artificially distorted. The four Grand Slams will explore their options, with the US and Australian Opens likely to be sympathetic to the All England Club.
Many will look on in bemusement at why much of tennis appears to be standing up for representatives of two countries in the midst of a murderous invasion of their neighbour.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries was among those to criticise the decision, saying: ‘We urge the ATP to consider their stance. It does not send the right message to either Vladimir Putin or the people of Ukraine.’
Ex-player Alex Dolgopolov, who has enlisted in his native Ukraine, tweeted: ‘Tennis is more worried about Russians not being able to play and promote their propaganda, than Ukrainians dying and being raped. Only Wimbledon and the LTA have shown they care about the real problem.’ l CAM NORRIE will face Alex Molcan in the final of the ATP Lyon Open after beating Holger Rune 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 last night.