By Alberto Amalfi | Monday, May 23, 2022

A Wimbledon without ranking points leaves "a lot of players disappointed," Ons Jabeur says.

The sixth-seeded Jabeur, who was upset by 30-year-old Magda Linette in her Roland Garros opener today, was asked her reaction to the ATP and WTA stripping Wimbledon of ranking points.

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On Friday, the Tours announced they have stripped Wimbledon of ranking points in response to the grass-court Grand Slam banning Russian and Belarusian players in condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Madrid champion Jabeur said while "it's a very difficult decision", "a lot of players are disappointed."

"Honestly, it's a very difficult decision, we've been talking a lot with the WTA, I wish they can find a solution, but I don't think anything will change with the no points," Jabeur told the media in Paris. "Obviously a lot of players are disappointed.

"I wish we had points, if I did quarterfinal, for me the main concern is how are they going to keep the last, are they going to keep the last year's points, how are they going to replace them, because it's not fair if we drop all the points without us defending anything, especially some people had finals, semifinals."



Jabeur said the decision will directly impact her calendar: She plans to play more before Wimbledon to try to earn as many ranking points as possible.

"So it is very, very tough decision and I don't know, honestly, I'm just going to try to grab as many points as I can in the grass season in the other tournaments," Jabeur said.

American John Isner who edged Nicolas Mahut in the longest match in history at Wimbledon said eliminating ranking points will leave The Championships with "a different feel."

"It's definitely a different feel. I don't know how I'm going to adjust to it," Isner said. "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, you know, our currency on tour is points. You know, 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."

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