Djokovic criticized the waiver of world ranking points at this year’s grass Grand Slam tournament. “I think it was a wrong decision,” said the Serb on Monday in Paris after winning the first round of the French Open. His adversary Rafael Nadal has an ambivalent relationship to the cause. “In the end I understand both sides,” said the 13-time French Open winner.
The ATP and also the WTA for women decided on Friday that there will be no points for their rankings in the classic lawn this year. The reason for this is the exclusion of professionals from Russia and Belarus by the Wimbledon organizers because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. ATP and WTA had criticized this decision and now took the consequences.
Djokovic loses the most points
Djokovic is particularly affected by the regulation because, as the defending champion, he now loses 2,000 points and very likely his first place in the world rankings. But he was glad that the ATP and the players had made it clear to the Wimbledon organizers that their decision to exclude said players was wrong.
Nevertheless, the Serb, who has been 35 since Sunday, would have preferred a different arrangement. “I think the ATP could have found a middle ground as well. They could have dropped the points for this year but froze them from last year,” said Djokovic. However, the entire constellation is very complex for all sides. “It’s a lose-lose situation,” said the number one in the world.
Nadal understands both sides. “I don’t have a clear opinion. With us, every player has their own opinion and that’s why we will never achieve things that would be possible if we pull together. In the end, it is necessary for someone to make the decisions,” said the 36-year-old from June 3rd. You have to accept the decision of the ATP board. “In the end I understand both sides. I no doubt respect Wimbledon’s point of view, but on the other hand, I understand the ATP protecting their members.”
Medvedev could benefit
If the ATP and WTA stick to their decision not to award points, the curious situation could arise that with Daniil Medvedev, a Russian player of all people will benefit the most by replacing Djokovic as number one in the world. “That would indeed be strange,” said Medvedev on Tuesday after his victory in the first round of Paris. “If there are no points and I get number one, good for me. If there are points and I can’t finish number one, I’d be pissed,” said the Russian. “But I have no influence on the respective decisions.”
Osaka is considering not starting
Behind the scenes, heated discussions are going on among those involved – the last word does not seem to have been spoken for a long time. Former world number one Naomi Osaka has already indicated that he does not want to play in Wimbledon in the event that points remain. “I’m already playing to have the prospect of improving my rankings,” said the Japanese. Other players also seem to be thinking about not starting, which would finally make Wimbledon 2022 a kind of show event.
“99 percent of the players want points to be awarded and the tournament to be the same as before,” said Frenchman Benoit Paire. “So I would like to know whether the ATP wants to defend the players or Russia.” The Russian Andrei Rublev assumes that the stars of the industry will still be there at Wimbledon. “They don’t play for money or points, they play for history,” Rublev said.
