Wimbledon will lose ranking points in 2022, according to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the official governing body of men’s professional tennis. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) quickly followed suit, declaring that no points will be awarded for the junior and wheelchair events.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Wimbledon banned players from Russia and Belarus. At the time, players including as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal condemned the All England Club’s decision.
It’s unclear how the change will effect this year’s big draws at SW19. According to the Guardian, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka has already stated that she would not compete, stating that the oldest Grand Slam tournament “is more like a showcase” without ranking points.
The draw may probably stay loaded, given what it continues to provide in terms of status and reward money. Novak Djokovic, the world number one, has already confirmed his attendance in London to defend his championship.
Djokovic was one of the most outspoken opponents of Wimbledon’s April decision. After winning the first round of the French Open, the Serb complimented the ATP and the players for banding together and demonstrating to a Grand Slam tournament that making a “error” has repercussions. It’s a “lose-lose” situation for everyone, according to the 20-time Major champion.
Players will lose points from previous year in addition to not having the ability to gain points this year. Djokovic, who has no points to win as the reigning champion, will lose 2000 points regardless of the outcome.
The change benefits Russian Daniil Medvedev, who is only defending 180 points from his Round 4 result at SW19 last year, and Rafael Nadal, who was injured last year and skipped the tournament. On July 11, Medvedev is set to dethrone Djokovic as the ATP world number one.
Matteo Berrettini, last year’s finalist, has been out of play for the whole clay season due to a hand injury. The Italian has planned his return to the circuit to allow him to play the entire grass season, but a loss of points at Wimbledon might push him down to 15th in the rankings. Denis Shapovalov, who is still grieving from his French Open first-round loss to Holger Rune, will also take a big knock.
While Ash Barty, the 2021 champion, has retired, the Wimbledon point freeze will have an influence on the top of the women’s rankings. As things stand, last year’s finalist and World No. 8 Karolina Pliskova is in danger of dropping out of the top 20 women’s rankings. After a disappointing clay season, Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka has plummeted to seventh in the rankings and will lose another 780 points.
