Wimbledon 2022: Djokovic will march to the championship this year to defend his championship. Djokovic announced that he “intends to travel to Wimbledon” , despite the controversy surrounding the tournament being stripped of ranking points.
“Yes, I intend to go to Wimbledon,” Djokovic said after defeating Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan in the first round of the French Open. However, he added that the tournament’s initial decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine was a “mistake.” Due to the ATP and WTA tours’ decision to withhold ranking points from Wimbledon in response to the player suspension, Djokovic, 35, stands to lose 2,000 points.
March to Wimbledon: Djokovic says his 2000 Points loss does not deter his march to this year’s championship
“On a personal, individual level, I have been very negatively affected,” said Djokovic. He has already lost 2,000 points by not being able to defend his Australian Open title.
“Collectively I’m glad that players got together with the ATP 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 is going to be some consequences.”
Djokovic believes there were other solutions available to Wimbledon which would have been less drastic than an outright ban.
“A few days ago I found out that there was a document of recommendation from the British government towards the All England Club and where they had several options,” said Djokovic.
“There was not only one on the table. They haven’t discussed it with anybody from ATP or any individual players or for that matter Russian or Belarusian players to just communicate and understand whether there is common ground where both sides could be making a compromise and something could work out.
Wimbledon Revamped Schedule
“So I think it was a wrong decision. I don’t support that at all. It’s a lose-lose situation for everyone.”
The Serb, who was unable to defend his Australian Open title in January after being deported from Melbourne over his vaccination status, outlined options.
