Even with the 2022 French Open ongoing, tennis fans were consumed by another big storyline in the ATP Tour. Back in April, the All-England Club announced that Russian and Belarusian players would be banned from Wimbledon in 2022. It was a decision that was bashed by many of the sport's greatest players, such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Just a few days ago, the ATP delivered a firm response to the All-England Club, announcing their intent to withhold rankings points from Wimbledon.
Following his first-round victory at the French Open, Djokovic spoke to reporters and revealed his true feelings about the ATP's decision, as reported by the Associated Press.
“Collectively, I’m glad that players got together with the ATP, the governing body of men’s tennis, and showed to the Grand Slam that when there is a mistake happening — and there was, from the Wimbledon side — then we have to show that there’s going to be some consequences,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic, who called the Wimbledon decision a “lose-lose” and “wrong”, backed the ATP. While the world no. 1 acknowledged that some players, like himself, will not be able to defend the ranking points they won at Wimbledon, he said that the players and the ATP showing solidarity was more important.
Those words carry weight coming from Djokovic, who stands to lose out on 2,000 rankings points he secured with his Wimbledon title last year.
It's also notable, considering Djokovic was once attempting to break away from the ATP's leadership with a separate player's association.
Now, he stands with the ATP in condemning Wimbledon's decision.