Wimbledon’s decision to bar Russian and Belarusian players from competing in the Championships is “unfair,” according to Rafael Nadal, the Spanish tennis legend, who spoke to the media in Madrid on Sunday. The 21-time major winner believes the All England Club went with “the most extreme approach,” and hopes the tours can find a way to work around the restriction.
The ATP and WTA, as well as players such as Rafael Nadal’s great rival Novak Djokovic, have slammed Wimbledon for imposing the suspension in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Belarus is considered a Russian ally, and it has permitted the Russian military to cross into Ukraine.
The ban excludes a slew of excellent players, including men’s world number two Daniil Medvedev and women’s semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus from this year’s tournament.
“It’s unjust for my Russian teammates,” Nadal stated. “In that sense, what’s going on with the conflict right now isn’t their fault.”
“I’m sorry for their troubles. I wish things were different, but at the end of the day, we know what we have.”
Nadal, who is competing in the Madrid Masters after a six-week layoff due to a rib ailment, said it may be up to him and his teammates to take a stand.
“What can I say as a fellow player?” “I pity them,” the 35-year-old two-time Wimbledon champion stated.
“I sincerely hope this is not the case.
“Let’s watch what happens in the following weeks and see if we need to take a stand as players.” Something isn’t right.”
Wimbledon has been chastised by Nadal for going above its mandate.
“You have to respect the regulations when the government orders anything,” he stated.
“In this situation, the government made a recommendation, and Wimbledon chose the most extreme choice without being forced to.”
The Grand Slams are not affiliated with the ATP or WTA, but they do get ranking points from the tours, which could be withheld if no agreement is reached.
“We realize Slams aren’t ATP tournaments, but we give them the most points of any event,” Nadal added.
“They are the most crucial.” When it comes to Grand Slams, the 2,000 points are quite essential, and we must compete in those tournaments.
“So we’ll have to see what steps we take, and it’s really an unfair situation for them.”
‘It’s just not right,’ says the ban.
Meanwhile, world number one Djokovic stated he has not spoken to anyone from the ATP Tour but believes that talks are taking on to see how Wimbledon’s decision may be overturned.
Due to his Covid vaccination status, the Serbian star has had to miss some of the season’s major events, including the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Miami.
“It’s not the same thing,” said the 20-time Grand Slam champion, “but having gone through something similar earlier this year for me, it’s terrible knowing you can’t play.”
“I’m still adamant that I don’t agree with the decision. It’s not right, and it’s not fair, but it is what it is.
“They have the right to make the decision, and now I guess it’s up to the player council, tour management, and the players to really decide, together with the players, what the best solution is in this situation, whether they keep the points, protect the points, take away half of the points, or whatever.”
Djokovic believes that among the various choices on the table right now, entirely depriving Wimbledon of ranking points is the least likely.
Holding a Grand Slam without offering ranking points may appear to be a glorified exhibition tournament
“Wimbledon and Grand Slams are more than just tournaments where the winner receives 2,000 points. There’s a backstory to it, too “Djokovic, the All England Club’s defending champion, stated as much.
He does predict, though, that whatever judgment is made on the points will have a “significant rippling impact” on the tour.
“I believe that in this case, you won’t be able to make everyone happy, thus someone will bear the brunt of the repercussions.”