Explained: What is the controversy around Wimbledon 2022?
New Delhi, May 26: Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, has run into controversy after the ATP, WTA and ITF stripped of its ranking points. The decision was taken after banning Russian and Belarus players from participating in the prestigious event.
What
ATP,
WTA
and
ITF
say
about
Ranking
Points?
In
view
of
the
Russian
invasion
of
Ukraine,
the
All
England
Lawn
Tennis
and
Croquet
Club,
home
to
the
most
prestigious
tennis
tournament
in
the
world,
banned
the
Russian
players
from
the
event
this
year.
"Given
the
position
taken
by
the
UK
Government
to
limit
Russia's
global
influence,
which
removed
automatic
entry
by
ranking,
and
the
widespread
response
of
Government,
industry,
sport
and
creative
institutions,
we
remain
of
the
view
that
we
have
made
the
only
viable
decision
for
Wimbledon
as
a
globally
renowned
sporting
event
and
British
institution,
and
we
stand
by
the
decision
we
have
made,"
it
said
in
a
statement.
It accused Russia could use the success of its players to benefit the propaganda machine of its regime through its closely controlled state media as the country has a history of using sporting success to support a triumphant narrative to the Russian people.
"We therefore wish to state our deep disappointment at the decisions taken by the ATP, WTA and ITF in removing ranking points for The Championships. We believe these decisions to be disproportionate in the context of the exceptional and extreme circumstances of this situation and the position we found ourselves in, and damaging to all players who compete on Tour," it added.
Nonetheless, it is considering its options, and reserving its position at this stage. "We are also in discussion with our Grand Slam colleagues," the statement concluded.
How
it
Affects
Players?
The
ATP
rankings
are
the
merit-based
method
used
by
the
Association
of
Tennis
Professionals
(ATP)
for
determining
the
qualification
for
entry
as
well
as
the
seeding
of
players
in
all
singles
and
doubles
tournaments.
Ranking
points
are
awarded
according
to
the
stage
of
tournament
reached,
and
the
prestige
of
the
tournament,
with
the
four
Grand
Slam
tournaments
awarding
the
most
points.
For instance, World No 1 Novak Djokovic earned 2,000 points by winning won Wimbledon in 2021.
So, doing away with the ranking points will prove costly for players, who had hoped to improve their rankings in Wimbledon. Many feel that there would not be motivation for players to play in a tournament without points. "I'm leaning more towards not playing given the current circumstances. I'm the type of player that gets motivated by seeing my ranking go up," four-time major winner Naomi Osaka told AFP.
Osaka feels that would become like an exhibition tournament without ranking points.
"No ranking points in Wimbledon and ranking points will drop from 2021. No chance to defend them. Are you serious ATP Tour? From No. 60, I will drop to 130. Thank you," Hungary's Marton Fucsovics wrote on Instagram.
However, it is not the first instance where players have been banned from participating in the tournament. Germany and Japan players were prevented from competing in the immediate aftermath of World War II.