Djokovic labels Wimbledon ban ‘unfair’

Novak Djokovic is feeling hard done by due to Wimbledon’s no-points status in the continuing administrative war between the tournament and the ATP.

The Serb, who was deported from Australia in January for trying to arrive unvaxxed to play the Open, will now cop it at the All England Club, which players are already labelling an “exhibition”.

While Djokovic was quick to call out the Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarus players due to the invasion of Ukraine, the irony of what he called “a mistake” by the tournament was all too apparent.

The No. 1 also hinted that a more moderate sanction was rejected by the All England Club.

“On a personal level, without getting a chance to play and defend, my 4,000 (2021 championship) points (are) going to drop in this year, Australia and Wimbledon. 

“A few days ago I found out that there was a document of recommendation with several options. There was not only one (a ban) on the table.”

But the former ATP Player Council president added: “They (Wimbledon) haven’t discussed it with anybody from ATP or any individual Russian or Belarusian players to, you know, just communicate and understand whether there is a common ground where both sides could be making a compromise and something could work out.

“So I think it was a wrong decision. I don’t support that at all. 

“But during these times, it’s (Russian invasion of Ukraine) a supersensitive subject. Anything that you decide, it’s unfortunately going to create a lot of conflict.

“I heard there was some recommendations from WTA and ATP that possibly men’s and women’s players from Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia could play together some exhibition event with prize money going to the victims in Ukraine.”

The Serb who is a national hero at home in a country with close ties to Russia added: “There is a better solution than just taking away the points, not allowing players to earn points or defend points,

“Everyone is affected.”

“It’s hard to say what is right, what is wrong. This is a situation where someone will always suffer more – it’s a lose-lose situation for everyone.”