Dan Evans has slammed the lack of player input into the decision to strip Wimbledon of its ranking points this summer - but Daniil Medvedev has branded the call 'logical'.
Since the All England Tennis Club announced last month that players from Russia and Belarus would be banned from SW19 amid the invasion of Ukraine, the fallout has been explosive. The ATP have spoken out against the authority, initially warning them of legal action.
And this week, it was confirmed that stars would be denied the chance to play for points. The measure threatens to reduce the event to an 'exhibition', with Naomi Osaka one leading player to cast doubt over whether she'll now compete.
Male world no 1 Novak Djokovic publicly agreed with the absence of ranking points. But British player Dan Evans, who on Monday beat Francisco Cerundolo to progress in the French Open, has argued it's not just the likes of the Serbian who should have been consulted.
“It’s not the right decision but it’s a difficult one,” he told reporters. “Obviously everyone’s got an opinion. I want to be playing for points, obviously, but there’s obviously bigger things to this decision than me wanting points.
“Like most things, the bigger, better players were asked, and there’s quite a lot of other players on the tour as well as Rafa, Novak. So, which is disappointing, in my opinion, from the ATP."
Evans also said that the whole process lacked transparency, adding: “But being better at tennis makes your opinion louder. Does it make it right or wrong? Does it mean it’s any better of an opinion than mine or Harriet Dart’s? And that was, in my opinion, disappointing that we weren’t asked. And that, as a Brit as well, I think we should have been asked."
One of the stars who will definitely be absent from Wimbledon is US Open champion Medvedev, said that the ATP reasoning was justified. Also speaking after winning his first-round match at Roland Garros, he said: "About the ATP decision, it is not easy to comment.
"But when I read the Q and A from the ATP, why they made this decision, because they are explaining themselves, they are not just saying: ‘Okay, we decided that.’ I found it very logical what they say at least. This is what I didn't find in Wimbledon explanations.
“I'm not saying which decision is right, but at least so far in explaining their decisions, I found ATP just more logical and more consecutive.” In a further twist, the latest development is set to elevate Medvedev back above Djokovic in the rankings.
The reigning champion could lose 2,000 points from winning the title in 2021, meaning he'd drop back behind the Moscow-born player. Medvedev however, insists he'd rather simply be playing in London.
"I love Wimbledon. I love playing on grass. I will play on grass after Roland Garros. But if I cannot, I am just going to prepare for next tournaments, and just follow what's happening there," he said.
