"Politics are taking away 4000 points from Novak Djokovic this year" - Tennis fans fume as ATP and WTA announce decision to strip ranking points from Wimbledon
Wimbledon's decision to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from the tournament due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine has not gone over well with most tennis fans. Many players were also unhappy with the decision, with stars like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and others expressing their displeasure over the verdict.
Tennis fans were waiting to see the consequences the decision would have for the event, and the response from the governing men's and women's tennis bodies has been rather unprecedented. Both the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) have decided not to award points to any players at this year's tournament.
Tennis fans on social media were unanimous in their opposition to the entire saga. Most users on Twitter see this as yet another instance of politics interfering with sports, very similar to what transpired earlier this year in Australia with Novak Djokovic's visa controversy.
"Politics are taking away 4000 points from Novak Djokovic alone this year," one fan wrote.
Politics are taking away 4000 points from Novak Djokovic alone this year.
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, Wimbledon didn’t ban Russian players and the ATP didn’t remove Wimbledon’s points from all players. Of course, nobody cares about Afghanistan. Politics only gets involved in sport when a small group decides.
The decision by Wimbledon to ban Russian and Belarusian players was political over reach into elite sports. It was a very cheap shot against players who don't even represent their countries at the tournament. Thank you ITF for taking such a firm stand. https://t.co/BJLPsa6wWq
"So Wimbledon ban Russians which results in ATP/WTA protesting by removing points (not allowing players to keep last year's points like during covid) which ironically then results in Medvedev becoming No. 1 without even playing. Guess who exactly this is hurting…of course Novak again," another fan lamented.
So Wimbledon ban Russians which results in ATP/WTA protesting by removing points (not allowing players to keep last yrs points like during covid) which ironically then results in Medvedev becoming No1 without even playing. Guess who exactly this is hurting…of course Novak again https://t.co/N4CBYAdkBx
Wimbledon banning Russians has spectacularly backfired as they have upset the ATP/WTA and it's become a exhbo.
However @atptour not awarding ranking points has also spectacularly backfired as they have upset the Tennis players (the non corrupt ones) and shows their corruption.
"They’re not punishing Wimbledon, they’re punishing Novak. Imagine him winning RG and Wimbledon and losing the No. 1 spot to Medvedev who didn’t win anything this year. And fedal wouldn’t know. At least people are seeing," one user tweeted.
@CristinaNcl They’re not punishing Wimbledon, they’re punishing Novak. Imagine him winning RG and Wimbledon and losing the number 1 spot to Medvedev who didn’t win anything this year. And fedal wouldn’t know. At least people are seeing.
Big mistake by the ATP and WTA not to sanction ranking points @Wimbledon
Such a complicated issue and it all stems from misleading Government policy
Some fans are also of the opinion that it will make no difference to the majority of casual viewers and that the decision will not devalue Wimbledon.
"This'll make no difference to the majority of the typical audience that watches Wimbledon who tune in to tennis once a year and have no clue that there's even an ATP tour to begin with," another account posted.
This'll make no difference to the majority of the typical audience that watches Wimbledon who tune in to tennis once a year and have no clue that there's even an ATP tour to begin with.
Wimbledon (like all slams) is an ITF event; not an ATP event. The ATP doesn't have any power to asterisk or devalue any slam title.
If Novak Djokovic were to win Wimbledon, it'd count the same as any other slam or Wimbledon win.
Don't be duped by those saying it's asterisked.
Looks like a lot of Djokovic fans need to know this.
His debacle in Australia IS NOT the same as this Wimbledon drama. It takes some effort to be that daft and believe the two are one and the same
ATP stripping points from Wimbledon could play a key role in the World No. 1 race
With the ATP announcing its decision not to award any points to players at SW19 this year, the year-end World No. 1 race will get a lot more interesting. Novak Djokovic is the defending champion at Wimbledon, meaning that he will lose 2000 points once the tournament draws to a close on July 10.
Safe points after Wimbledon
Medvedev 7100
Zverev 6130
Tsitsipas 4765
Alcaraz 4485
Djokovic 4410
Nadal 4165
Max. 3000 points to earn at Roland Garros and ATP tournaments on grass courts (if the decision to strip Wimbledon of points holds).
Daniil Medvedev, on the other hand, is defending only 180 points due to a fourth-round exit last year. With Djokovic defending far more points than the Russian at the upcoming French Open as well (2000 points compared to 360), the Serb will need to put in an extraordinary performance in the next few weeks to remain ahead of Medvedev.