ATP ready to restore ranking points for 2022 Wimbledon
ATP
Andrea Gaudenzi, who is the ATP president, would be ready to restore the ranking points for the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, but only if certain rules are met.
Russian and Belarusian players won't be allowed to participate at Wimbledon this year. As a response to this move, the ATP and WTA have decided to remove the ranking points awarded at the event.
Some players were disappointed about this move, as it means that they can't defend their last year's points. However, the ATP and WTA wanted to respond to Wimbledon's move, and they chose this path.
However, Andrea Gaudenzi, who spoke to Ubitennis, could still see this year's tournament played with players having points awarded.
"Such a decision should have been taken collectively involving all seven components of tennis. This story proves once more that we need a unique governance in tennis."
"Having said this, we would be very happy to return the points to Wimbledon if the ban on Russians and Belarusians, who have said they are willing to make written statements because none of them is in favor of the war, were lifted."
"From a ranking point of view, we want to have a ranking in 2022 where each player had access to the same number of points. This is the only way to have a fair ranking at the end of the year."
Gaudenzi also spoke about the proposed option of keeping the points that players earned at the tournament last year. However, he explained that isn't the ideal solution either, as some would benefit more and some less, which would hurt another group of players.
"If we gave protection to those who played well at Wimbledon in 2021, it would be even more unfair to those who play well in 2022 because the points would still expire after 52 weeks, as always happens."
"We can’t protect seven or eight players by creating even more damage to everyone else. Unfortunately, Wimbledon points will be missing in the year-end ranking, but from our point of view, it is the fairest choice, and WTA agrees with us."
