Nadal straddles fence on Wimbledon crisis

Rafael Nadal refused to be drawn on the stand-off between Wimbledon and the Tour sanctioning body over the decision to strip ranking points from the Grand Slam classic.

The 13-time Roland Garros winner was more intent on continuing his run at a record 14th Paris trophy but could not duck the issue of the Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarus players and the ATP response.

“I don’t have a clear opinion. In our tour, every single player has a different opinion,” the fifth seed said.

The natural diplomat said: “I respect and I understand Wimbledon’s position, without a doubt, but on the other hand, I understand and I respect too that the ATP is protecting their members.

The Spaniard urged compliance to a dissatisfied player population.

“At the end, I understand both sides. The ATP board makes a decision. We need to accept that decision.

“I will not be the player who comes here and puts my board in a tough position for decisions that they make.

“Hopefully ATP and Wimbledon can be together and sit together and negotiate a better future for both sides.”