ATP Won’t Strip Ranking Points From UK Tournaments; Greenlights Future Bans

The ATP announced Monday that they would not take away ranking points from the two UK events next month.

The LTA has instructed ATP (and WTA and challengers) events in Queen’s and Eastbourne to bar any Russian and Belarussian players from competing. The decision was met with outrage from the player base.

“This season’s ATP Tour events in Queen’s and Eastbourne will proceed as normal, offering full ATP rankings points,” the ATP said in a statement.

“LTA’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes is however contrary to ATP rules and undermines the ability for players of any nationality to enter tournaments based on merit, without discrimination – a fundamental principle of the ATP Tour.

“Sanctions related to LTA’s violation of ATP rules will now be assessed separately under ATP governance. ATP’s response to Wimbledon’s decision remains under review, with more to be communicated in due course.”

The ATP added that their Wimbledon decision is still under review, however it appears the tour will also allow them to retain their ranking points.

The precedent, though, has been set. While the tour will fine the two events (an amount yet to be determined or disclosed), going forward this does open the the door for other events to also ban players (of any country, for any reason) without any worry of any major repercussions like losing ranking points, status or sanction.

The WTA is expected to make their decision soon on their events in Birmingham, Nottingham and Eastbourne, but will likely fall in line with the ATP.