Wimbledon stripped of ATP and WTA ranking points after Russian and Belarusian player ban

Wimbledon has been stripped of ranking points for players for this year’s tournament by the ATP and the WTA, following their decision to ban players from Russia or Belarus from competing at SW19.

In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian players have been banned by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) from all UK grass-court events, which includes the third grand slam of the year.

And in a statement, the ATP - who run the men’s world ranking system and weekly tennis tour - intimated they had been left with no decision but to announce that players will not recieve ranking points for competing at Wimbledon.

“The ability for players of any nationality to enter tournaments based on merit, and without discrimination, is fundamental to our Tour,” read the statement.

“The decision by Wimbledon to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing in the UK this summer undermines this principle and the integrity of the ATP Ranking system. It is also inconsistent with our Rankings agreement.

“Absent a change in circumstances, it is with great regret and reluctance that we see no option but to remove ATP Ranking points from Wimbledon for 2022.

“Our rules and agreements exist in order to protect the rights of players as a whole. Unilateral decisions of this nature, if unaddressed, set a damaging precedent for the rest of the Tour. Discrimination by individual tournaments is simply not viable on a Tour that operates in more than 30 countries.”

Shortly afterwards, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced they would follow suit and replicate the decision taken by the men’s governing body.

“The stance we are taking is about protecting the equal opportunities that WTA players should have to compete as