Tim Henman exclusive: Big names won't skip Wimbledon; ATP, WTA 'penalising' players in ranking points row

Tim Henman does not expect players to skip Wimbledon despite reservations raised by Naomi Osaka over the lack of ranking points on offer. The ATP and WTA stripped the Grand Slam of any points following the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from the tournament after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ad/> Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka says she is «leaning» towards not playing as it will feel like an «exhibition» event.

Roland-GarrosOsaka admits she may not play Wimbledon due to ranking points row4 HOURS AGO John Isner, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2018, says he is “not that stoked” about the tournament because the “currency on tour is points”. However, former British No. 1 Henman, who is on the All England Lawn Tennis Club board, hopes the tournament’s history will help attract the best players.

“This whole scenario around Russian and Belarusian players being refused entry into Wimbledon is such a difficult situation and it’s really unfortunate for all parties involved,” he told Eurosport. Osaka may not play Wimbledon due to ranking points row Swiatek extends winning streak to 29 matches “It’s not something Wimbledon really wanted but the decision Wimbledon has made has put the tours in a difficult position. At the end of the day I don’t think there are any winners out of it.

«I feel enormous sympathy for the Russian and Belarusian players that can’t play, but understanding a far bigger picture of the war and what’s being going on and the atrocities in Ukraine and let’s hope that finishes sometime soon. “I don’t think players will end up skipping the Championships at Wimbledon; a Wimbledon title is going to be about a lot more than the ranking points. It’s a difficult situation, hopefully the