Wimbledon 'nearing WTA deal' to allow players to keep half ranking points in ATP clash

Wimbledon is nearing a deal with the WTA that would see players keep half their ranking points for this year's Championships, according to reports. However, the ATP is said to be remaining firm in its stance that points will be withdrawn for the 2021 and 2022 editions of the tournament.

Wimbledon was stripped of its ranking points by both govening bodies over its stance on Russia, leaving doubts over how many players will participate in the Championships this summer. Russian and Belarusian stars are barred from entering the draw over Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Both the ATP and the WTA released strongly-worded statements condemning the ban. The WTA went as far as saying that the All England Lawn Tennis Club was proceeding "with a partial field not based on merit" in a damning conclusion.

However, it has been claimed that the WTA is now set to partially renege on that stance by allowing women's players to claim half of their ranking points. They are keen to prevent a mass boycott of the tournament, which would be a bad look for both the governing body and tournament organisers.

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According to the Daily Mail, Wimbledon are close to a 'compromise' with the WTA to ensure players compete at the Grand Slam. It comes after Naomi Osaka suggested that players from the women's draw might not attend if they do not receive their ranking points.

However, that stance could contradict the one taken by the ATP, who are insistent that ranking points will definitely be withdrawn from the 2021 and 2022 editions of Wimbledon. World no 1 Novak Djokovic backed the decision despite conceding that he will be directly affected because he will lose the points he