Players want Wimbledon stripped of ranking status

Backlash growing on men’s tour over ban on Russians Summer showpiece could be reduced to a £35m exhibition

The world’s leading male players have called for ranking points to be withdrawn from Wimbledon this summer in a major escalation of the row over the All England Club’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players, Telegraph Sport understands.

If ratified over the next 24 to 48 hours by the Association of Tennis Professionals board, this would be a provocative response to what All England Club chairman Ian Hewitt recently called “the most responsible decision possible in the circumstances” – the non-invitation of Daniil Medvedev, Aryna Sabalenka and the rest to SW19 this summer.

It would inflame an already controversial issue, pitting the men’s Tour directly against the biggest tournament in the world, and leaving Wimbledon as no more than an exhibition tournament from the ATP’S perspective – albeit an exhibition tournament with a massive £35million prize fund.

The decision has to be ratified by the board of the ATP Tour. However, most insiders feel ATP chief executive Andrea Gaudenzi has little choice but to take the players’ advice.

The ATP board consists of three player representatives and three tournament representatives, while Gaudenzi has the casting vote in the event of a 3-3 tie. In this situation, though, it is the players who have been directly affected by Wimbledon’s decision, and thus they will expect to have the final say.

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, along with nine others, are elected ATP player council members.

Murray’s position is especially interesting. When he was asked for his view in Madrid 10 days ago, Murray said: “I feel for the players that can’t play and I don’t support one side or the other.”

The Women’s Tennis Association is also understood to be leaning towards the same position as the ATP. Entry lists close six weeks before the start of tournaments, so everyone needs to know where they stand before next week.

There will also be consequences for the Lawn Tennis Association, which mirrored the All England Club’s stance in banning Russian and Belurusian players.

Because Wimbledon is an independent event, run by a private members’ club, the only recourse the tours have with regard to the All England Club is to withdraw their ranking points.

However, the LTA is more exposed because it is contracted to run ATP and WTA events as franchises. As well as ranking-point withdrawal, it could also face fines.