Top players might not turn up at Wimbledon
GB star Norrie attacks ranking-points call and fears it will be ‘an exhibition’
BrITaIN’S top male player cam Norrie last night attacked the decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points — and fears that this year’s tournament will be much diminished because of it.
The world No 11 even ventured that a few of the top players might not turn up now that the championships will be ‘almost like an exhibition’.
In his view there is a majority of male players against the decision of the aTP Tour that represents them, as the implications sink in.
however, prominent american player Sloane Stephens asserted that there was no alternative due to the ‘discrimination’ being demonstrated by the barring of competitors from russia and Belarus.
The in-form Norrie, whose strong improvement of the last 18 months gives him hope of a deep run at SW19, was downcast at the impact of the sanction being imposed by both tours.
he warned: ‘Wimbledon is still such a special event but I think you’ll see top players not playing, just resting and getting ready for the hardcourt events later in the summer. Especially those that don’t worry too much about the money. It’s an extremely difficult situation with everything going on with the war but for me it’s tough, having a home slam and not gaining any ranking points from that.
‘You’re not really playing for anything, you’re playing this almost like an exhibition. There are not many tournaments on the grass already and then suddenly there’s no points at Wimbledon.’
Norrie, who on Saturday won the aTP title in Lyon, feels there
will now be a groundswell against the move, although it is probably too late. he also believes there was a lack of communication.
‘This changes the ranking system a lot,’ he said. ‘Players did not have much choice or information. I put my opinion forward to the council, I don’t know if it meant anything.’
Stephens, an influential figure as she sits on the women’s Player council, was unrepentant about the WTa taking a more militant line against Wimbledon, as was recommended by their chief executive Steve Simon.
In an apparent dig at the stance taken by the all England club and Lawn Tennis association under pressure from
Whitehall, she referred to ‘a lot of mishandling’ around the issue.
‘I think the decision that was taken was the correct one,’ she said. ‘It wasn’t taken lightly but when you are backed into a corner that’s all you can do. When you look at the principles and what our tour stands for, discrimination will never be tolerated. That is what is happening so as long as that’s in play, there are no points.’
With there being no prospect of the British side backing down there appears little possibility of any resolution. What will concern Wimbledon is the prospect of a few bigger names not coming at all, in addition to the banned stars of russia and Belarus.