"Hopefully ATP and Wimbledon can sit together and negotiate a better future for both sides" - Rafael Nadal on removal of rankings points for 2022 Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal refused to take sides in the ATP-Wimbledon imbroglio following his first round win over Jordan Thompson at the 2022 French Open on Monday.
The 35-year-old opened his campaign for a record-extending 14th title at the claycourt Major with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 win over the Australian. In the process, he improved to 18-0 in first-round matches at the tournament.
Meanwhile, days before the start of Roland Garros 2022, the ATP responded to Wimbledon's decision of banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from this year's Championships due to Russia's Ukraine invasion by stripping points of the tournament.
BREAKING:
ATP removes ranking points from #Wimbledon this year because of their ban of Russian and Belarusian players. https://t.co/7WLmIt2jWM
Asked about his position on the same during a press conference after his first round win at Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal said he doesn't have a 'clear opinion'. Nevertheless, he hoped that both parties find a common ground beneficial to everyone:
"I don't have a clear opinion. In my personal opinion, have good reasons to make the decisions that they make today. Hopefully ATP and Wimbledon can be together and sit together and negotiate a better future for both sides," he said.
Nadal added that 'every single player' having a different opinion makes it challenging to work towards a common goal. He said:
"The problem with the players' side is always the same. From the tournament side, there is always a person and a board, a person or a board who make decisions. And the rest of the people running the event follow that position. In our tour, every single player have a different opinion, and that's why we never achieve the things that we could achieve if we will be together," Nadal said.
Nadal said that he would accept any decision made by the ATP board and won't put them in a tough position.
"Doesn't matter if everybody have a different opinion. At the end, in this world, is necessary, somebody who makes decisions. If I am agree or not agree with that, today doesn't matter. The board, the ATP board make a decision. We need to accept that decision. The rest of the things I will not be the player who comes here and who put my board in a tough position for decision that they make," he added.
"I respect and understand Wimbledon position; I understand and respect too that ATP is protecting their members" - Rafael Nadal
Speaking further on the issue, Rafael Nadal said that there isn't a right or wrong party in the saga and that both organisations are trying to protect their interests.
"At the end, I understand both sides. I respect and I understand Wimbledon position, without a doubt, but in the other hand, I understand and I respect too that the ATP is protecting their members. That's it. Is not that one is doing a negative thing and the other one is doing the good thing. Everyone half," Nadal said.
Statement regarding Russian and Belarusian individuals at The Championships 2022.
It remains to be seen how the situation evolves in the next few days leading up to the grasscourt Major next month.