Novak Djokovic criticises Wimbledon for ‘wrong decision’ around Russian and Belarusian participant ban

Novak Djokovic has criticised Wimbledon for generating the “wrong decision” in banning Russian and Belarusian gamers – and claims there had been other selections readily available.

Wimbledon went against most other tennis tournaments by choosing to ban players from Russia and Belarus participant subsequent Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement, Wimbledon said they had “no practical choice in the framework of the Uk government’s place”.

The choice has led to the ATP and WTA tours stripping Wimbledon of rating points.

That suggests Djokovic will also not have the opportunity to keep 2,000 factors as defending champion.

“But I have been speaking with administration and the president of ATP and some of the council users actually in the previous couple of times. I consider collectively I am glad that players bought jointly with ATP, the governing body of the men’s tennis, and confirmed to the Grand Slam that when there is a oversight happening, and there was from the Wimbledon side, then we have to present that there is heading to be some outcomes.

“So I assistance the players, unification always. I have usually completed that. I will constantly do that. Of study course it really is up to Wimbledon or LTA [Lawn Tennis Association], whoever was generating that conclusion to make that determination.

“But I didn’t know, for example, a couple times back I discovered out that there was a document of recommendation from the English authorities toward the All England Club and in which they had quite a few choices. There was not only 1 on the desk. They have not reviewed it with anybody from ATP or any personal players or for that make any difference Russian or Belarusian gamers to just converse and have an understanding of regardless of whether there is a prevalent floor the place both of those sides could be earning a compromise and something could function out. So I consider it was a completely wrong final decision.”

The transfer by Wimbledon means the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Aryna Sabalenka will not participate in the third Grand Slam of the calendar year.

Djokovic claims it is a “very unique and unusual situation” that was designed worse by was a deficiency of “communication” by Wimbledon.

“It’s a super sensitive subject, and something that you decide, it truly is regretably going to build a ton of conflict, a whole lot of separation alternatively of unification.

“I believe that they could have taken into thing to consider — for illustration I read there was some suggestions coming also from WTA and ATP that quite possibly men’s and women’s players from Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia could engage in together some exhibition occasion all through the Slam or a little something like this or somebody could participate in mixed doubles and prize money could go to the victims in Ukraine, and stuff like this. There was different tips, but there was hardly ever seriously, however, a powerful conversation coming from Wimbledon. That is why I imagine it can be just mistaken.

“Whether there was, and there is, a improved solution than just taking away the details and not allowing for players to get paid factors or defend points, because they have two groups of gamers that are [not] going to – everybody is impacted. So for me or for the guys that did nicely past calendar year, we are not only not heading to have possibility to make factors but we are unable to defend them. There are some guys that obviously are not likely to have a possibility to gain factors. Of program it’s a really special and bizarre problem, I have to say.”

Nevertheless, Djokovic advised that he still options to protect his title.

“Of study course a Grand Slam is still Grand Slam. Wimbledon for me was often my aspiration match when I was a youngster. I never seem at it by the lens of points or prize dollars. For me, it truly is a little something else. But all over again, there has to be some benchmarks or standards, some respect, mutual respect, I believe.

“I consider it’s possible there is normally likely to be some groups of players that are going to be afflicted much more negatively, and they are going to complain extra. It is really tricky, truly. It is tricky to say what is right, what is wrong. This is a person of these type of selections and predicaments the place is constantly going to be somebody that will go through extra. It is really sort of, I would say, get rid of-eliminate circumstance for everybody.”

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