Serena Williams & Roger Federer to drop out of world rankings after Wimbledon

For the first time in 25 years, Roger Federer and Serena Williams will disappear from the tennis world rankings, even if they decide to compete at Wimbledon. 

Both the ATP and WTA have announced that no ranking points will be on offer for the third Grand Slam of the year, which will have disastrous ramifications for the two tennis legends. 

The stripping of points was in response to Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing, amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. 

According to both the ATP and the WTA, this decision is not in line with tennis’ ethical values. Therefore, the governing bodies stripped points so that those who are unable to compete are not impacted. 

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev is currently the world number two and will now keep his ranking, despite not being allowed to participate at the All England Club. 

Roger Federer and Serena Williams will disappear from the rankings after Wimbledon even if they play the tournament.

Williams and Federer are former world number one’s, but neither has played since last year’s Wimbledon. 

Federer underwent knee surgery last August but has targeted this year’s Wimbledon as a potential return date. 

Similarly, Williams has teased she will return to the All England Club this year as she bids to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam. 

The US star is already a seven-time champion at Wimbledon, while Federer has won the competition an unprecedented eight times. 

As of May 2022, Williams is ranked outside the world’s top 250. Meanwhile, Federer is 46th in the latest ATP standings. 

Since both players are still holding on to points accumulated at Wimbledon in years gone by, the stripping of these points this year will see them lose their world