Isner sparks Twitter debate on fate of ATP rankings points during suspension of tour

After it was announced that all ATP events would be suspended for six weeks, numerous superstars have taken to social media to vent and express their feelings. A few are using the time to relax and spend time with family, others are engaging with fans on social media.

American John Isner decided to initiate what he termed "a healthy debate" on whether the ATP/WTA should "freeze" ranking points during this hiatus or if they should let the points all fall off.

In case you're unfamiliar with how the ranking points work, a player garners points during every tournament in which they participate. The further you go in an event, the more points you earn. Therefore, the winners stand to gain the most points while those eliminated early have the least.

Now, as the season progresses, the points begin to accumulate and whomever wins the most events or advances the furthest will have the most points by the end of the year. However, they will have to defend the points the following year at the same event and stand to lose points if they do not win the tournament or advance as far as they did the previous year.

Using the Miami Open as an example, Isner received 600 ranking points as a runner-up last year (lost to Federer). With this year's event cancelled, he stands to lose 600 points without even defending them. This could negatively affect his current ranking of 21st on the ATP rankings table. Losing 600 points could see his ranking plummet to the 40s or 50s. Granted this also depends on the performance of players beneath him on the table, but his concern is understandable.

The majority of responses favored the ATP freezing the points during this time period. Some remained undecided, while a few chimed in with comical responses.

Retired ATP player Mardy Fish gave a witty comeback, proposing to let the points fall off just so he could be tied with Federer. Canadian tennis player Peter Polansky suggested restarting the rankings from scratch during the 2021 season, with everyone having zero points.

Regardless of the outcome, Isner does raise a valid point, one which will have to be addressed following the cancellation of so many important ATP tournaments.

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