via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 30:Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his Men’s Singles Semifinal match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day eleven of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 30, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 30:Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his Men’s Singles Semifinal match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day eleven of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 30, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
There has been a growing debate surrounding Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s championships. Many leading players such as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have slammed the tournament for preventing the entry of players based on nationalities. Recently, a new twist occurred in this episode.
Last month, Wimbledon barred the entry of players from the two countries because of rising geopolitical tensions in the eastern part of Europe. While some welcomed this decision, many fellow players raised their voices against it. The move also received criticism from the men’s and the women’s governing bodies, ATP and WTA.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and others want ranking points withdrawn from Wimbledon
Wimbledon’s decision has had a major impact on top players in the world like Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka. In criticism of this decision, the leading male players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and others have asked the ATP to strip Wimbledon of ranking points.
The world’s leading male players have recommended that rankings points should be withdrawn from Wimbledon in a major escalation of the row over the All England Club’s ban of Russian and Belarusian players | @simonrbriggs https://t.co/VH4Ix5adEP
— Telegraph Sport (@TelegraphSport) May 10, 2022
Further, the ATP will decide on this in the next few days. If it strips Wimbledon of the ranking points, it will have a major blow on one of the world’s biggest tournaments. Moreover, it will cause Wimbledon to be just an exhibition event with no ranking points being awarded.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 19, 2022; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Rafael Nadal (ESP) reacts after missing a shot during a victory over Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) in their semifinal match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nadal, while criticizing Wimbledon’s decision, referred to the Russian and Belarusian players and said, “It’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war. I’m sorry for them. Wimbledon just took their decision. … The government didn’t force them to do it. Let’s see what happens in the next weeks, if the players will take some kind of decision in that regard.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Carlos Alcaraz outlines his plans for the grass-court season
To prepare for Wimbledon, the Spaniard will take part in the ATP 500 Cinch Championships. It will be his only tournament before the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: Will Smith Shows How King Richard Cast Trained Like Serena and Venus Williams
Last season, Alcaraz lost in the second round of the Wimbledon Championships against Daniil Medvedev. However, it won’t be a surprise if he digs deep in the tournament this year, given the blazing form he is in!
