Rafael Nadal talks to the media after securing his place in the second round at the Roland Garros.
“[I’m] happy with the performance, by the way. It’s a positive start. Of course, I’m the kind of player looking for something else; looking for better things, and that’s what I’m going to try to find in my practice tomorrow and in my next match.
“Of course, the confidence is higher when you win Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Madrid or Rome. Without a doubt, things are easier in this world to understand when you are winning more matches and more tournaments, you will have greater confidence and the opponent feels that too. At the end, you are more used to the level you need to play [at] to win matches.
“[For me,] this is not the case, things are different. But I never expected to be winning 15 Monte Carlo’s and Rome so, that’s the situation. I got injured, what happened has passed and I am here at Roland-Garros.”
Rafa was also asked about his opinions on the Wimbledon saga, but the great man kept his cards close to his chest.
“I don’t have a clear opinion [about Wimbledon]. The problem with the players’ side is always the same. From the tournament’s side, there is always a person or a board that makes the decision, and the rest of the people running the event follow that decision. In our tour, every player has a different opinion, and that is why we never achieve the things that we could achieve if we came together.
“The ATP board made a decision, and we need to accept that. The rest of the things… I will not be the player who comes here and put my board in a tough position for the decision that they have made. As players, we are not prepared well enough to make important decisions because at the end it is an individual sport and everyone has their own personal views in terms of how much profit they get from every decision that the ATP makes.
“I understand both sides. I understand Wimbledon’s position, without a doubt, but on the other hand I understand and respect the ATP for respecting their members, and that’s it. It’s not that one is doing a positive thing and one is negative. In my personal opinion, there are good reasons for them to make the decisions that they have made today, and hopefully the ATP and Wimbledon can be together and negotiate a better future for both sides.”
Source: Eurosport
There are some quite contradictory views being expressed. Benoit Paire’s said that most of the players oppose the decision to strip Wimbledon of its ranking points, and are angry that the ATP and WTA took the decision without full consultation. Lucas Pouille has said that it’s unfair of the ATP and the WTA to punish all the players. Sloane Stephens, on the other hand, has said that she supports the decision because she thinks Wimbledon are in the wrong… but hasn’t said that she won’t be playing.
It’s a no-win situation, but the lack of communication is very poor.
Congratulations Tsonga for an awesome career. Thank you for the entertainment 🥳🥳🥳
My view of the merits of this is the same as setinthepast. But what will be the practical effect? At the end of the day Wimbledon is still a Major. Djokovic has said he will play. I hope Rafa does too, health permitting. Rafa has not played Wimbledon since 2019 and I think he could win. Again, if his foot allows for that.
Djokovic will lose his 2000 points for winning last year no matter what; Rafa will be unable to add points by playing. What will the top ten look like after this plays out?
The Pandemic and Putin have really disrupted our sense of order in the world. And I think Rafa is right to support the ATP decision.
I initially assumed that the points from Wimbledon 2021 would stay on for an extra year, and was quite surprised to learn that they wouldn’t. Karolina Pliskova is going to see a huge drop in her ranking, and she can’t be the only one. It seems very unfair that some players are going to suffer because of a dispute over something which doesn’t concern them.
As John McEnroe said, it’s a lose-lose situation. I understand the argument that the war is not the fault of the players, and I certainly wouldn’t expect anyone openly to condemn the war and put their relatives in Russia or Belarus in potential danger of reprisals. Also, the sports bans on South Africa never did anything to help end apartheid. But not putting “RUS” or “BLR” and a picture of a flag by a player’s name doesn’t alter the fact that they’re representing their country, and a picture of the future Queen presenting a trophy to one of the players would be a huge propaganda coup for Putin, whose troops are raping and murdering civilians and causing horrific devastation in a country which he invaded under no provocation whatsoever. I don’t think it was very wise of the LTA to act unilaterally: an agreement should have been reached between the ATP, the WTA and all four Grand Slam events.
I would think that most players will play anyway, for the money in some cases and the prestige in others.
It’s a horrible mess. There are strong arguments both ways.
❤️
I just found out that there won’t be any ranking points at Wimbledon this year according to the ATP, WTA, and ITF. WOW is all I can say.
It looks as if Wimbledon will be an exhibition tournament this year. Waiting to see who will play, or not.
Anyone here have an opinion? I am just amazed by it all.