?They?re Not Playing for a Country?- Serena Williams? Childhood Coach Rick Macci Lashes Out at Wimbledon?s Decision Against Russian and Belarusian Tennis Players

This year’s Wimbledon Championships garnered unwanted attention before the start of the tournament. Notably, the tournament banned all Russian and Belarusian players from competing for the prestigious Grand Slam. In reply, the ATP and WTA stripped ranking points from Wimbledon, and several top players chose to skip the grass-court event. Many players and experts called Wimbledon an exhibition tournament, as it offered no ranking points. Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci also had a similar thought.

In the past, the Hall of Famer coach has provided many great insights about the game of tennis. In an interview earlier, he talked about the current scenario of the Russian and Belarusian players and what will happen to them next year.

Rick Macci talked about the Russian and Belarusian tennis players at the Wimbledon Championships

Speaking about the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, Macci said, “It?s obviously because where they are from, but it?s a little tricky because they are playing for themselves, they are playing for their families. They are not playing for a country. This is not the Davis Cup or the Fed Cup where you are playing for a team. So, it really makes no sense why they could not play.“

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“It?s just very unfortunate and the problem now, they are saying it?s because of the war. Wimbledon has in my opinion kind of boxed themselves in or I should say royal boxed themselves in because what?s gonna happen next year, if this is still going on? So it?s just unfortunate, and it?s a lose-lose because not only do the players not get to play, all the points don?t even count. It?s almost like an exhibition, which is unfortunate,” Macci further said.?

Was Wimbledon an exhibition event?

Before the start of the tournament, many present and former players expressed their views regarding Wimbledon being an exhibition event. According to Cameron Norrie, this year’s semifinalist, the removal of rankings points made it feel like an exhibition.

However, 2-time Wimbledon Champion, Andy Murray felt Wimbledon will never be an exhibition, as many players play for the title, not for the ranking points.

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Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic suffered the most in terms of ranking despite winning the Championships by beating Nick Kyrgios in the final. Unable to defend his 2000 points, he dropped to no.7 in the ATP rankings. It will be interesting to see the scenario for next year, as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could still be going on.