“Slam count or not?” Andy Roddick fires new controversy for Nadal and Djokovic fans

Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic

Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick is one of the most active former players and tennis pundits on social media platforms and tennis shows. The American’s valued opinion initiates great conversations and debates in and around tennis and the 2003 US Open winner was back at it once again.

After ATP and WTA announced on 20th May 2022 their decision to dock the 2022 Wimbledon Championships of all the ranking points leaving the Grand Slam nothing but a high paying exhibition event, the tennis world was divided about whether it was the right move or not. Wimbledon’s decision to ban all Russian and Belarusian players due to their respective country’s involvements in the war in Ukraine did not sit well with ATP and WTA as the two bodies felt the players were not personally responsible for the war.

The Wimbledon and LTA officials did not however make any changes to their plans despite ATP and WTA issuing statements and the move left the two bodies with no other option than to strip the third major of the season of all ranking points. With the major not holding any points this year, there is a good chance many top players might skip it and not risk any injuries as the tournament does not have any importance without its ranking points.

The other issue that comes is whether the Grand Slam will be marked with an asterisk, to indicate that a full field did not compete and is often said to be a title of less importance. Given Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal being very close in the race for most major titles with Novak just 1 major behind Nadal who clinched his 21st in Australia this year, Roddick’s tweet raised a big debate.

Also Read: “First deportation, now unjust point removal” Novak Djokovic fans hit out at ‘hypocrite’ ATP for snatching the Serb’s points from Wimbledon

“Let the controversy begin”: Andy Roddick

Roddick took to his Twitter handle to reply to compatriot Mardy Fish who asked for opinions on the decision of Wimbledon’s points being docked. Roddick wrote, “Let the controversy around whether this counts towards official slam count begin. No points, top players missing in action etc.”

Let the controversy around wether this counts towards official slam count begin. No points, top players missing in action etc
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) May 20, 2022

Wimbledon 73 still counts…pre Open era results also with weakened fields…so
— james tano (@yonexguy) May 20, 2022

Just been talking about this. No points = no slam surely??
— Richard Hatherly (@hath28) May 20, 2022

Will they skip? Is there anywhere else to play over the fortnight? Still Wimbledon, still paying prize money. Medvedev the only truly impactful omission.
— AxonRey (@Axonrey) May 20, 2022

1. There were points given 2. It was each players decision to follow steps needed to compete. Their choice. This is someone else making the decision to keep players out without a choice for them to make
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) May 20, 2022

Points would’ve been given regardless a given players whereabouts. They set their parameters for guaranteed participation months in advance. It was then a choice of all players to decide what they wanted to do.
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) May 20, 2022

Of course it counts. The general public couldn’t care less about points in the ranking. The Covid US Open / French Open with no fans would be far closer to an asterisk than some Russians being unfairly excluded.
— JM (@jm11or3) May 20, 2022

win the tournament, win the major; right? why would points have anything to do with count?
— Art'sFormulaFitness (@ArtsFormulaFit) May 20, 2022

They set their parameters and still let Novak into the country and AO were happy to let him play, there’s a reason why they let him train in the first place. It just doesn’t add up. I get your point though, I just don’t share it.
— José Montagna 🇮🇹🏆 (@CFC_JMC) May 20, 2022

The chosen path of most resistance sometimes leads to …….. resistance. There was a clear path that wasn’t chosen. Messy all around unfortunately. Cheers!
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) May 20, 2022

Some choice Novak had. It was utterly pointless (demonstrably so) and potentially harmful for him to take this experimental vaccine. Of course most laughable is the fact that it didn’t even prevent catching or transmitting the virus anyway. Yeah, great choice. 👍
— Christian ✞ Ⓥ (@christianveg77) May 20, 2022

Also Read: “When you are playing matches you have to be your own coach” Emma Raducanu hits back at critics over no head coach at the French Open

Also Read: How will Wimbledon prize money be affected after ranking points get removed by ATP and WTA?

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#About the Author

Sarthak Shitole

(3434 Articles Published)

Sarthak Shitole is a tennis writer at FirstSportz having curated more than 3000 articles over the two and a half years he has been here. Having started as an intern, he is currently the content manager for tennis. He has been following the sport for more than a decade and over the years, has developed a neutral perspective on the sport while having an unbiased liking to a lot of players for their playing style. His interest extends to other games as well with a fascination to know about the sports' history and statistics as well.

“Slam count or not?” Andy Roddick fires new controversy for Nadal and Djokovic fans

“Let the controversy begin”: Andy Roddick

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