Wimbledon doubles down on ban despite points stripping by ATP & WTA

Wimbledon organisers have expressed “deep disappointment” after this summer’s championships were stripped of their ATP and WTA ranking points following the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players.

The organisers also stressed they stood by the call, made in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, to impose the ban for SW19 this year, calling it “the only viable decision”. A Wimbledon statement read:

“We appreciate that opinions differ in relation to our decision to decline entries from Russian and Belarusian players to the championships this year and we deeply regret the impact of this decision on the individuals affected."

The statement concluded with:

“We are considering our options, and we are reserving our position at this stage. We are also in discussion with our Grand Slam colleagues.”

The ATP had earlier said Wimbledon’s stance set “a damaging precedent”. Ranking points will remain at ATP Tour events at Queen’s (ATP 500), Eastbourne (ATP 250) and ATP Challenger events in the UK this summer.

The WTA soon followed suit by announcing it too was removing ranking points from Wimbledon, with chairman Steve Simon saying: “

The recent decisions made by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to ban athletes from competing in the upcoming UK grass-court events violate that fundamental principle, which is clearly embodied in the WTA rules, the Grand Slam rules and the agreement the WTA has with the Grand Slams."