Andy Murray: In reaction to Cameron Norrie and Naomi Osaka’s remarks that players might not show up if ranking points are eliminated, Andy Murray said Wimbledon “will never feel like an exhibition.”
Due to the invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian players were prohibited from competing at this year’s Wimbledon last month, a decision that was criticised by both the WTA and the ATP.
As a result of the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian players from this summer’s Grand Slam competition, Wimbledon’s ranking points were deducted by the ATP and WTA.
“Wimbledon is still such a special event. But I think you’ll see top players not playing, just resting and getting ready for the hardcourt events,” Britain’s Norrie said this week.
“It’s an extremely difficult situation with everything going on with the war, but for me, it’s tough – having a home slam and not gaining any ranking points from that. You’re not really playing for anything, you’re playing this almost like an exhibition so for me, it was tough to see.”
Following a 7-5 6-4 loss in the first round of the French Open against 27th seed Amanda Anisimova, Japan’s Osaka made similar remarks.
“I’m not sure why, but If I play Wimbledon without points, it’s more like an exhibition,” she said. “I know this isn’t true, right? But my brain just feels that way. I just can’t go at it 100 per cent.
“I didn’t even make my decision yet, but I’m leaning more towards not playing given the current circumstances, but that might change.
“I would love to go just to get some experience on grass, but at the same time, for me, it’s kind of – I don’t want to say pointless, no pun intended,” she said. “But I’m the type of player that gets motivated by seeing my ranking go up. So I think the intention was really good, but the execution is kind of all over the place.”
Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion in 2013 and 2016, expressed his dissatisfaction on Twitter on Wednesday:
“I follow golf very closely and have no idea how many ranking points the winner of the The Masters gets. Me and my friends love football and non of us know or care how many ranking points a team gets for winning the World Cup.
I follow golf very closely and have no idea how many ranking points the winner of the @TheMasters gets.
Me and my friends love football and non of us know or care how many ranking points a team gets for winning the @FIFAWorldCup— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) May 25, 2022
“But I could tell you exactly who won the World Cup and the Masters. I’d hazard a guess that most people watching on Centre Court at Wimbledon in a few week’s time wouldn’t know or care about how many ranking points a player gets for winning a 3rd round match.
I follow golf very closely and have no idea how many ranking points the winner of the @TheMasters gets.
Me and my friends love football and non of us know or care how many ranking points a team gets for winning the @FIFAWorldCup— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) May 25, 2022
“But I guarantee they will remember who wins. Wimbledon will never be an exhibition and will never feel like an exhibition. The end.”
But I could tell you exactly who won the World Cup and the Masters. I’d hazard a guess that most people watching on centre court @Wimbledon in a few weeks time wouldn’t know or care about how many ranking points a player gets for winning a 3rd round match🤷♂️
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) May 25, 2022
