Naomi Osaka, a four-time major winner, is unsure whether she will compete at Wimbledon because it will be “more like an exhibition” without ranking points.
After Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian players in protest of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the ATP and WTA stripped the points. Osaka did not condemn the move but stated that earning points was a motivator.
“The intention of this measure was good, but the execution is all over the place. I feel like if I play Wimbledon without points, it’s more like an exhibition,” she said.Â
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“I know this isn’t true, right? But my brain just like feels that way. Whenever I think like something is like an exhibition, I just can’t go at it 100%. I didn’t even make my decision yet, but I’m leaning more towards not playing given the current circumstances.”
Former world number one Osaka, 24, was speaking after losing in the first round of the French Open to Amanda Anisimova.
After taking several breaks from the sport last year to protect her mental health, the Japanese player is now ranked 38th in the world. As a result, she missed Wimbledon, where she has never advanced past the third round.
“I would say the decision is kind of affecting my mentality going into grass. I’m not 100% sure if I’m going to go there,” Osaka said.
“I would love to go just to get some experience on the grass court, but at the same time I’m the type of player that gets motivated by seeing my ranking go up.”
Players will earn ranking points for grass-court events held in the United Kingdom in the run-up to Wimbledon, which begins on June 27. Osaka is the most high-profile player to have indicated she may not play at the All England Club.
“For me, it’s Wimbledon,” said Poland’s Iga Swiatek, who leads the WTA rankings by a large margin. It’s one of the season’s most important tournaments. I’m fine with playing without points.
“But there is war going on. So I look at it more from that way than what’s going happen on rankings.” Men’s world number one Novak Djokovic has also stated his “intention” to compete at Wimbledon.
“Yes, I intend to go to Wimbledon,” the Serb said after defeating Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round of the French Open. He did, however, call the tournament’s decision to bar Russian and Belarussian players a “mistake.”
“On a personal, individual level, I have been very negatively affected by that,” said the 20-time Grand Slam champion, who stands to lose 2,000 ranking points because of the decision.
“Collectively, I’m glad that players got together with the ATP and showed to the Grand Slam that, when there is a mistake happening and there was from the Wimbledon side, then we have to show that there is going to be some consequences.
“I think it (Wimbledon’s ban) was a wrong decision, I don’t support that at all. But, at these times, it is a sensitive subject and whatever you decide will create a lot of conflict. There was never, unfortunately, a strong communication coming from Wimbledon. That’s why I think it’s wrong.”
Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, who will not compete at Wimbledon due to the ban, said she has been working with the WTA players’ council, of which she is a member, to assist those affected by the decisions of the governing bodies and Wimbledon.
“I think those conversations are really hard,” the former world number one said.
“When I have any of those conversations I don’t look at myself and if I am affected. I look at the bigger picture. I believe that I’m not the centre of the universe and I’m not the only person that matters.
“I believe in the unity of players, I believe that sport should unite people. I hope we have an opportunity to show what sport can bring when we unite and do something together for the good.
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“To talk more about that, I’m affected in the situation, I’m not a victim. I will never speak as a victim. I believe in the greater good.”
Rafael Nadal, the two-time Wimbledon champion, stated that he does not have a “clear opinion” on the ATP’s decision to remove the tournament’s ranking points.
“At the end, I understand both sides,” the Spaniard 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 its members. That’s it. [It] is not that one is doing a negative thing and the other one is doing the good thing. Everyone half.”
