“Would prefer to play with points”- John Isner is “not that stoked” about playing Wimbledon after the removal of ranking points
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John Isner
Following the decision to deduct ranking points from the Grand Slams in response to the tournament banning Russian and Belarusian players following the invasion of Ukraine, John Isner admits he is “not that stoked” about playing Wimbledon.
The ATP has declared that there will be no ranking points in this year’s Grand Slam competition, a month after Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian players from competing. Wimbledon responded to the ATP’s decision on Friday, stating that the suspension will remain in place.
“I definitely stand with the ATP”- John Isner
Isner won the longest tennis match in history at Wimbledon in 2010, an 11-hour and five-minute marathon, but lost 26-24 to Kevin Anderson in the final set of their semi-final four years ago. “Right now, truthfully, I’m not that stoked about Wimbledon. I might just show up on Saturday and maybe I will play Monday and see what happens. Because our currency on tour is points,” Isner stated after advancing to the second round of the French Open on Sunday.
“We play for that to keep our ranking high, to move up our ranking. It puts a lot of pressure on you to try to build your ranking or maintain your ranking. You’re not going to have that this year. So I think in a sense some players will be playing pretty free out there because we don’t have that threat of, you know, of not improving your ranking going on,” John Isner added.
Although he disagreed with Wimbledon’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players, the American was hesitant to criticise the ATP for withholding points. “I’m not saying the ATP has made a wrong decision, but we would prefer to be playing with points. But I definitely stand with the ATP in the sense that I believe these players should be playing. They don’t have anything to do with the invasion going on. The whole world just wants this to come to an end somehow. It stinks that it’s interfered with sports,” he said.
Also Read: “Deep disappointment”- Wimbledon stages a reply to ATP and WTA for stripping of the ranking points
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Pritha Ghosh
(414 Articles Published)