Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year's tournament over the invasion of Ukraine was wrong and lacked respect, says world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) took the decision after Russia's invasion in February, with Moscow describing the blitz as a 'special military operation'. Belarus has been a key staging area for the invasion.
As a result, the ATP and WTA have stripped Wimbledon of its ranking points over its decision to exclude players from the two countries. Rankings determine a player's ability to enter tennis events and receive seedings.
"On a personal level, of course, without getting a chance to play and defend my 4000 points from Australia and Wimbledon, I will drop them this year," said Djokovic, after his first-round win at the French Open.
"On a personal, individual level, I am very negatively affected by that."
Djokovic - who missed this year's Australian Open, after refusing a COVID-19 vaccination and subsequent deportation - says the ATP's and WTA's response to the Wimbledon decision was a reaction to a mistake.
"Collectively, I am glad that players got together and showed to the Grand Slam that, when there is a mistake happening, we have to show there will be some consequences," he said.
"I think it [Wimbledon's ban] was a wrong decision. I don't support that at all, but at these times, it is a sensitive subject and whatever you decide will create a lot of conflict.
"There was never unfortunately a strong communication coming from Wimbledon. That's why I think it's wrong."
Tennis governing bodies have banned Russia and Belarus from international team competitions, but have allowed players from the two countries to compete as neutrals.
The Wimbledon move has been condemned by the tennis governing bodies as discriminatory.
"It's a very unique and weird situation, but a Grand Slam is a Grand Slam," said Djokovic said, who is planning to play at the tournament.
"Wimbledon has always been my dream since I was a kid. I don't look at it through the lens of points or prizemoney, but there has to be some standards with some mutual respect.
"This is one of these kinds of decisions where there will always be someone who will suffer more. It is a lose-lose situation."
Reuters
