"I don't agree with either" - Shapovalov on Wimbledon ban and ATP points strip

Thursday, 26 May 2022 at 06:30

Updated at Monday, 14 October 2024 at 22:22

Shapovalov Denis Wimbledon2022 MartinSidorjak2

byAlex Waite

Denis Shapovalov has outlined his frustration with both the ATP and Wimbledon because he believes that players bear the brunt of their choices.

The ATP has confirmed that ranking points will be removed from the 2022 Wimbledon tournament in response to the All England Club's initial ruling to ban players from Russia and Belarus.

As a result, some of the top ATP players, such as Danill Medvedev and Andrey Rublev cannot compete, while the Wimbledon winner will not receive the 2,000 ranking points.

Several players have spoken publically to criticize the ATP for their points removal and Wimbledon for its decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus.

Moreover, some of the biggest names in men's tennis, like Novak Djokovic, have agreed with the decision, believing that the All England Club needed to face consequences for banning players.

Another player to share their opinion on the developing situation is 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist, Denis Shapovalov. When speaking about the removal of points, the Canadian player believes the rulings from the ATP and Wimbledon are biased against players and that he and others will bear the brunt of the current events.

"I mean, yeah, I don't agree with either. I think first of all, if you have a pro competition, that everybody should be competing. I completely understand the politics and the situation they are in."

"But again, if you have a tennis tournament that's supposed to have the best athletes in the world, it shouldn't matter where you are from, this and that, you know? So everybody should be competing. I also don't agree with the ATP to take out all the points."

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In addition, Shapovalov shared how the ATP's omission of points can affect players competing at different levels in the official rankings.

The Canadian player elaborated by highlighting how Djokovic will be impacted by the lack of points at Wimbledon, while others may fall from the ATP's Top 100 as a result of the removal of the points.

"The most guys it's affecting are the guys in the top rankings. Obviously Novak, me, Hubi, Berrettini, who is not playing here, we are going to drop a lot. So it's difficult. Yeah, it's difficult."

"I think they could have gone with it a different way, maybe keep 50 percent like they have in the past or some kind of fairness. But even a guy like Fucsovics is going to drop out of the top-100, you know."