Novak Djokovic has spoken out on Wimbledon Open losing its ranking points for their ban on Russian and Belarusian players. Wimbledon Open got stripped of it’s ranking points by the Association of Tennis Professionals and the Women’s Tennis Association. The move which threatens to reduce the tournament to the status of a high-profile exhibition event.
Nole is the founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) which is an independent organization aimed at defending the rights of those on the Tour. Speaking about the ban and ranking points, the Serb gave his thoughts on the matter. He said, “I said it before and I’m going to say it again. PTPA is the only association which is representing 100% players’ rights, both male and female.”
He added, “I know I spoke to some players in the last few days, especially the ones that were doing well last year in Wimbledon and the ones that are affected the most with the points being taken out from Wimbledon.”
Novak Djokovic wary of the ATP’s structure of helping players
The decision by the ATP and WTA was made in a response to Wimbledon banning Russian and Belarusian players following the invasion of Ukraine. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has withdrawn points for Wimbledon juniors, wheelchair events.
Djokovic supports the decision of ATP to withhold ranking points from the tournament as a show of unity among players. He supports the decision even though the move will negatively affect his hold on the world no.1 spot.
Several tennis stars around the world are not happy with the decision of banning the Russian and Belarusian players. Sloane Stephens, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have all spoken out against the ban.
However, Djokovic believes that the Association of Tennis Professionals or the Women’s Tennis Association does not represent the players rights fully. According to him Professional Tennis Players Association represents them authentically.
Nole said, “We knew that whatever decision ATP makes — and that was actually a consequence or reaction to what Wimbledon decided. To do a month ago with banning Russian/Belarusian players. There is going to be a lot of unhappy, unsatisfied players. So this is where we are.”
“The council of ATP that is within the structure, this representing body of players, and that’s how it’s been for decades. I don’t think that’s the best system that we have.”
He added, “I just think the system has failed players so many times. And that’s the reason why PTPA needs to exist because when it comes down to this kind of big decision. A lot of the players’ voices are not heard enough.”
“Unfortunately, within the ATP you have 50/50 percent of representation between players and tournaments. So you are never going to have 100% players’ interest in place.”
