Current and former Ukrainian pros are united in their outrage against the ATP and WTA.
The Tours announced the joint decision to strip Wimbledon of its ranking points on Friday.
More: ATP, WTA Strip Wimbledon of Ranking Points
That decision came in response to The Championships banning Russian and Belarusian players from Wimbledon in condemnation of Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
Retired former Ukrainian No. 1 Sergiy Stakhovsky, who famously upset Roger Federer at Wimbledon, ripped the decision as a “shameful day in tennis” in a Twitter post.
“To say that I am disappointed in @atptour would be understatement,” Stakhovsky posed. “Never would expect that anyone can stand on the side of invaders and murderers… but it seems to me that even my fellow players feel sorry for invaders and collaborants from [Russia and Belarus].”
To say that I am disappointed in @atptour would be understatement.. Never would expect that anyone can stand on the side of invaders and murderers… but it seems to me that even my fellow players feel sorry for invaders and collaborants from rus/blr..1/2
— Sergiy Stakhovsky (@Stako_tennis) May 20, 2022
Players which in 85 days where not able to produce any clear message of condemnation of invasion into Ukraine. Shameful day in tennis.2/2
— Sergiy Stakhovsky (@Stako_tennis) May 20, 2022
On Friday, the Tours announced the decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points.
“The decision by Wimbledon to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing in the UK this summer undermines this principle and the integrity of the ATP Ranking system,” the ATP said in a statement. “It is also inconsistent with our Rankings agreement. Absent a change in circumstances, it is with great regret and reluctance that we see no option but to remove ATP Ranking points from Wimbledon for 2022.
“Our rules and agreements exist in order to protect the rights of players as a whole. Unilateral decisions of this nature, if unaddressed, set a damaging precedent for the rest of the Tour. Discrimination by individual tournaments is simply not viable on a Tour that operates in more than 30 countries.”
ATP says no ranking points at Wimbledon this year. pic.twitter.com/DRDfzm4wEF
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) May 20, 2022
The WTA quickly followed suit.
Alexandr Dolgopolov, who like Stakhovsky returned to his native Ukraine to fight for his nation against Russian invaders, issued a sarcastic “well done” to the ATP and WTA because, he said, they’ve given Russian propagandists fuel to defend the invasion.
Well done @atptour and @WTA , you made the N1 propagandist of russia happy by taking away points from @Wimbledon
Probably will make it all over the rest of russian propaganda
Very poor decision
Can’t sit on 2 chairs pic.twitter.com/agg9duAP5u
— Alex Dolgopolov (@TheDolgo) May 20, 2022
There is a reason Wimbledon is probably the most known tennis competition. Points or no points, there are things way bigger than tennis and in these hard times, Wimbledon is on the right side and will stay with its perfect reputation👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
As for the rest, it’s their choice https://t.co/ULaw8cqIDd
— Alex Dolgopolov (@TheDolgo) May 20, 2022
Ukrainian WTA player Marta Kostyuk sarcastically “thanked” the Tours for “being headliners of Russian support and news today.”
Thank you @wta and @atptour for being headliners of Russian support and news today👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/cqSRsZe6Yv
— Marta Kostyuk (@marta_kostyuk) May 20, 2022
Photo credit: Getty