MY ACCOUNT
Daniil Medvedev has given the ATP credit for reaching a “logical” decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points – and the Russian stands to benefit by going back to number one in the world.
There would need to be a remarkable turn of events for Novak Djokovic to retain top spot at the end of the short grass-court season, given he has a mountain of points to defend over the next two months and will lose the 2,000 that he earned by winning Wimbledon last year.
That is the standard total awarded to a grand slam singles champion, with Medvedev earning the same number for his US Open triumph in September.
The decision by the ATP, which runs the men’s professional tour, to effectively punish Wimbledon for its decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players, means the absent Medvedev at least stands to benefit in the rankings given he only has 180 points to lose from the London grand slam.
Djokovic carried a lead of only 680 points over Medvedev into the French Open, where the Serbian is again defending 2,000 points after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in last year’s final. Medvedev was a quarter-finalist in Paris last year, collecting 360 points.
Medvedev may yet go top before Wimbledon, but there is a strong chance Djokovic begins his campaign at the All England Club knowing he will be powerless to prevent his number one status sliding away.
“About the ATP decision, it is not easy to comment, but when I read the FAQ of the ATP, why they made this decision, because they are explaining themselves, they are not just saying, ‘Okay, we decided that’, I found it very logical what they say at least,” Medvedev said.
“This is what I didn’t find in Wimbledon explanations. I’m not saying which decision is right, but at least so far in explaining their decisions, I found ATP just more logical.”
The ATP said its decision, which has been unpopular with many, was reached “purely on the basis of maintaining a level playing field for our players across the season”.
Medvedev began his French Open campaign on Tuesday with a clinical 6-2 6-2 6-2 win against Argentinian Facundo Bagnis, showing no ill effects of recent hernia surgery.
Smiling, Medvedev said it was “very strange” that he might become the world’s top-ranked men’s player while exiled from Wimbledon.
“But I’d be really happy to play Wimbledon. I love Wimbledon,” said the 26-year-old, who plans to compete at grass-court events in Germany and the Netherlands in June.
“I love playing on grass. I will play on grass after Roland Garros. But if I cannot, I’m just going to prepare for the next tournaments and follow what’s happening there.
“There are no points, I become number one, well, great for me. If there are points, I cannot become number one, I’m going to be gutted. It is what it is. I cannot change some decisions, both about ATP and Wimbledon.”
