2022 ATP General News

[Fiero425]

Just imagine if they don’t play Wimbledon, there’s a possibility that Djokovic will only play 1 slam in 2022, wild!

The reason I say this is because as of right now, Djokovic can not enter the US because he is unvaccinated. Now, things can change 4 months from now. Crazy times we live in…

How did he get into The STATES last year to play the US Open? What changed besides the President?

 

[Moxie]

Just imagine if they don’t play Wimbledon, there’s a possibility that Djokovic will only play 1 slam in 2022, wild!

The reason I say this is because as of right now, Djokovic can not enter the US because he is unvaccinated. Now, things can change 4 months from now. Crazy times we live in…

I'm going to be very curious to see if Wimbledon and the AELTA/LTA stick to this ludicrous faux-political stance. (And If Rome does the same.) And if they do, if the generally spineless ITF does anything about it. The only tennis group that seems to have a backbone atm is the WTA. #allprops As to the USOpen, I do not see US policy changing before then. I actually looked at golf, since it is an individual sport with international players. And the Masters was recently held in the US. Seems that all of the golfers are vaccinated, so no controversy or issues there. Look how easy it would be to solve it.

 

[don_fabio]

This looks increasingly more likely as he struggles to be fit on clay. Now, let's see if they actually play Wimbledon.

Are you saying that some other players might boycott Wimbledon due to ban of russians/belarussians players?

I haven't written it here, but I do think that Wimbledon deserves a boycott at least from the banned players once they will be allowed to play there again. As for others who are free to come to Wimbledon this year and play, it is up to them if for whatever reason they want to boycott and I support that if they do. What Wimbledon did is an absolute shame and it's pure politics interfering with sports, just disgusting.

 

[Moxie]

How did he get into The STATES last year to play the US Open? What changed besides the President?

We had the same President during the last USO, need I remind you? As the vaccine has become more readily available, so the policy has changed. Last year, spectators had to be vaccinated to attend the USO, but players didn't. (This was based on local NYC ordinance, and yes, it was contradictory, IMO.) The mandate to vaccination for non-resident aliens to be jabbed (and now boostered,) in order to enter the US went into effect only in Jan. this year. Which is why I don't see it being lifted by July or whatever it would take for unvaccinated players, (which is basically just Djokovic,) to get a visa to play in the US for the Open.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Are you saying that some other players might boycott Wimbledon due to ban of russians/belarussians players?

I haven't written it here, but I do think that Wimbledon deserves a boycott at least from the banned players once they will be allowed to play there again. As for others who are free to come to Wimbledon this year and play, it is up to them if for whatever reason they want to boycott and I support that if they do. What Wimbledon did is an absolute shame and it's pure politics interfering with sports, just disgusting.

I will say this for now: the ATP and WTA will meet next week to discuss the possibility of withdrawing ranking points of playing Wimbledon meaning players won’t gain any points from playing Wimbledon this year.

I do wonder how will the other players react if the ATP/WTA take away the ranking points.

 

[Moxie]

Are you saying that some other players might boycott Wimbledon due to ban of russians/belarussians players?

I haven't written it here, but I do think that Wimbledon deserves a boycott at least from the banned players once they will be allowed to play there again. As for others who are free to come to Wimbledon this year and play, it is up to them if for whatever reason they want to boycott and I support that if they do. What Wimbledon did is an absolute shame and it's pure politics interfering with sports, just disgusting.

I'm following what other posters have said here, and social media, but there is talk of a boycott. I completely disagree with you that the banned players should boycott later. This does no material harm to the tournament, and only adds harm to the already abused players. Either all the players boycott, or many do, but then it's over. It would be a mostly empty gesture if say, Medvedev, or even all of the Russian and Belarusians players, men and women, refused to ever play it again. It would really only harm them. Professionally and materially. (It would not be the same as the Williams sisters boycotting Indian Wells for a decade, which actually made a very strong point, and they could afford it, and the fines that came with it.) One interesting canary-in-the-coal mine might be Rome. If Rome decides to adopt the policy of excluding Russian/Belarusian players, and the players boycott it, it might shift the position of Wimbledon. They had pandemic insurance, but I doubt they have labor dispute insurance. Rome is a co-ed event, and ruled by ATP/WTA. Could be a good moment for show of strength...and the players lose less by skipping it.

 

[Moxie]

I will say this for now: the ATP and WTA will meet next week to discuss the possibility of withdrawing ranking points of playing Wimbledon meaning players won’t gain any points from playing Wimbledon this year.

I do wonder how will the other players react if the ATP/WTA take away the ranking points.

That seems a passive-aggressive solution to me. Meaning that, if the ATP/WTA do that, they don't tell their players not to play Wimbledon, only that they won't gain anything by it. They're sort of saying, if they do that, that they don't agree with Wimbledon's position, but they're leaving it to the players to make their own decision. BTW, you won't get any points. But you do you. What about standing together with the players and taking an actual stance? I understand that the Majors are ITF events, but aren't ATP and WTA supposed to stand for the players?

Actually, the taking away points is interesting, if they do it well. Don't take them all away. They could threaten to downgrade Wimbledon from a Major. For the foreseeable future. Everyone has been looking for a MS1000 on grass...Wimbledon!

I suppose that would make this a year with only 3 Majors, but so was 2020. (Wimbledon canceled due to Covid.) And next year Larry Ellison might finally get his wish: IW becomes the other Major. May sound crazy, but if Wimbledon is going to be this political and punitive to some players, they should be prepared to pay the consequences.

 

[rafanoy1992]

That seems a passive-aggressive solution to me. Meaning that, if the ATP/WTA do that, they don't tell their players not to play Wimbledon, only that they won't gain anything by it. They're sort of saying, if they do that, that they don't agree with Wimbledon's position, but they're leaving it to the players to make their own decision. BTW, you won't get any points. But you do you. What about standing together with the players and taking an actual stance? I understand that the Majors are ITF events, but aren't ATP and WTA supposed to stand for the players?

Actually, the taking away points is interesting, if they do it well. Don't take them all away. They could threaten to downgrade Wimbledon from a Major. For the foreseeable future. Everyone has been looking for a MS1000 on grass...Wimbledon!

I suppose that would make this a year with only 3 Majors, but so was 2020. (Wimbledon canceled due to Covid.) And next year Larry Ellison might finally get his wish: IW becomes the other Major. May sound crazy, but if Wimbledon is going to be this political and punitive to some players, they should be prepared to pay the consequences.

I think that’s part of the reason they are considering withdrawing the points. They know saying a state is an empty gesture. And some players will still play Wimbledon even with the some statements because some players need those money and ranking points for future tournament entry.

However, if there are no ranking points are being gained from playing the tournament, then those players might actually consider boycott/protest Wimbledon to stop the nonsense.

I agree with you and Fiero that it doesn’t seem fair to withdraw ranking points at all, but the ATP/WTA/ITF have to do something to stop this political nonsense.

Unfortunately, there’s no clear solution to this chaotic madness unless the Top 25 players or something decided to boycott Wimbledon overall (which I don’t see happening).

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Is it his first match? I thought he played in Morocco last week.

yes but that was a challenger level tourney. technically his 2nd match then.

 

[Jelenafan]

I will say this for now: the ATP and WTA will meet next week to discuss the possibility of withdrawing ranking points of playing Wimbledon meaning players won’t gain any points from playing Wimbledon this year.

I do wonder how will the other players react if the ATP/WTA take away the ranking points.

OF course they are considering that measure (less points!!) because they know the rank and file players AND the superstars will play Wimbledon regardless. There is nothing stopping Zverev, Nadal, Novak ,Osaka, Swiatek, etc from not playing Wimbledon on principle due to the banning of the Russians/Belarus. But prize money, endorsements, the allure of bagging a Major, sponsorships, PR, etc, is why these players will play, and essentially has made these bodies toothless because its the sports agencies, management companies, and players entourages that control the players, not the respective player associations anymore.

Back in 1973 the recently formed ATP players boycotted (they had most of the top 25 players in the world) Wimbledon because the ILTF had suspended Nicki Pilic from playing because he did not play Davis Cup and that suspension was upheld so he would have missed Wimbledon. The players rightly feared the national federations were trying to control them and skipped the #1 tournament (back then) in the world , IMO there is no collectives will to do that today.

 

[don_fabio]

Either all the players boycott, or many do.

That's the thing. Players today don't have the balls to do it and unite and prove the point when they see something wrong even if it might hurt them for a while. They are all like dolls on the strings, moving as others make them. It all comes down to the money again.

 

[rafanoy1992]

The Italian and French government are being pressured to ban Russian and Belusarian players from playing Italian Open and Roland Garros, respectively.

It's not set in stone, but both governments are considering the idea.

Man, it's getting crazier every minute.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Macron wouldn’t. He talks out of both sides of his mouth. If you have heard any of his thoughts on this matter, he wouldn’t ban them from playing the French Open.

 

[Kieran]

The Italian and French government are being pressured to ban Russian and Belusarian players from playing Italian Open and Roland Garros, respectively.

It's not set in stone, but both governments are considering the idea.

Man, it's getting crazier every minute.

It’s certainly becoming crazier. With regards to the French and Italian governments, I definitely wouldn’t be surprised, but they also have to factor in the long term negative effects on these tournaments in their countries. The tournaments don’t belong to the governments, they belong to independent sporting bodies, and international sports. And most especially to players and fans. They’re a part of a cultural heritage that’s bigger and longer lived than any transient politicians.

I hope the top players all start to kick up a proper noise, this would set a lousy precedent if it happens..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It’s certainly becoming crazier. With regards to the French and Italian governments, I definitely wouldn’t be surprised, but they also have to factor in the long term negative effects on these tournaments in their countries. The tournaments don’t belong to the governments, they belong to independent sporting bodies, and international sports. And most especially to players and fans. They’re a part of a cultural heritage that’s bigger and longer lived than any transient politicians.

I hope the top players all start to kick up a proper noise, this would set a lousy precedent if it happens..

Wimbledon started the banning of players,to me this is like following the leader in ways,if Wimbledon did not start this 'insane ban' the other tennis federations eg Rome would never have considered this action.,

 

[rafanoy1992]

Macron wouldn’t. He talks out of both sides of his mouth. If you have heard any of his thoughts on this matter, he wouldn’t ban them from playing the French Open.

That's good to hear! Also, he was just re-elected as France president so, he will more than likely not ban players, like you said.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Interesting to note that Medvedev and Khachanov have both already entered Halle and s'-Hertogenbosch - Rublev has not entered anything on grass prior to Wimbledon.

 

[Moxie]

That's the thing. Players today don't have the balls to do it and unite and prove the point when they see something wrong even if it might hurt them for a while. They are all like dolls on the strings, moving as others make them. It all comes down to the money again.

It’s certainly becoming crazier. With regards to the French and Italian governments, I definitely wouldn’t be surprised, but they also have to factor in the long term negative effects on these tournaments in their countries. The tournaments don’t belong to the governments, they belong to independent sporting bodies, and international sports. And most especially to players and fans. They’re a part of a cultural heritage that’s bigger and longer lived than any transient politicians.

I hope the top players all start to kick up a proper noise, this would set a lousy precedent if it happens..

I'm quoting both of these because I don't think it's just a matter of players not having "balls." A boycott takes organization and leadership. No lower ranked player is going to decide on their own. This is why I saw the ATP/WTA would be wrong to just take away the points and leave it at that...it's like goading the players to boycott without taking an actual position. They should issue a statement (ideally jointly) against this stance and threaten to support a boycott, or something like that. Then the top players have to say they won't go. That would hurt the tournaments. Where is Novak's new players union in all of this? I know he has personally said he's against it. Wimbledon is going to make their annual kickoff announcements tomorrow, and Rome is soon. The time for real action is now.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I don’t think RG is going to ban players. Macron certainly wouldn’t be the one to initiate it. He is in a position quite similar to Germany. Where they are like oh no Russia is doing bad things, but their rhetoric and actions suggest more favor with Russia than Ukraine.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

No rest for Barcelona champion Carlos Alcaraz as he quickly had to jet off to Greece to fufil a commitment to his agency, IMG.
Alcaraz along with Hubert Hurkacz had committed to an exhibition match at the Tatoi Club today.