(Reuters) –Wimbledon’s ranking points were taken by WTA Tours Friday after the ATP decided that Belarusian and Russian players would not be allowed to compete at this year’s Championships because of Moscow’s invasion.

After the invasion of Russia and Belarus, the governing bodies for tennis have barred them from all international competitions. However, they allowed the players to compete as neutrals.

Wimbledon will be reduced to an exhibition tournament by the decision of the women’s and men’s tennis tours to remove it from its ranking points.

The ATP stated in a statement that “players of all nationalities have the right to participate in tournaments based upon merit and without discrimination.”

Wimbledon has decided to ban Russian, Belarusian and other players from participating in the UK’s Summer Games. This is a violation of this principle and an insult to the integrity the ATP Ranking system. This is in contradiction with the Rankings Agreement.

“Absent a shift in circumstances it is with regret and reluctance we have to take ATP Ranking points out of Wimbledon for 2022.”

Steve Simon, WTA chief said that athletes who participate in a single sport should not be punished or prohibited from doing so solely due to their nationalities and the government decisions of their respective countries.

Simon stated, “The All England Lawn Tennis Club’s (AELTC), and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), recent decisions to bar athletes from competing at the forthcoming UK grass court events infringe on that fundamental principle.”

“As a result of the AELTC’s position that it will not honour its obligation to use the WTA Rankings for entry into Wimbledon and proceed with a partial field not based on merit, the WTA has made the difficult decision to not award WTA ranking points for this year’s Wimbledon Championships.”

ONLY OPTION

AELTC, who are the organizers of the Grand Slam grasscourt tournament, has banned players for their nationality. It is the first such ban since before World War Two, when German and Japanese players were exempt.

AELTC previously stated that the ban against Russian and Belarusian actors was the only option available to them under guidance from the British government.

The AELTC said that Friday’s position was unchanged and they are still considering other options. They also stated that discussions were ongoing with Grand Slam counterparts.

A statement by AELTC read, “In addition to that, we are unwilling to accept Wimbledon success or participation being used to benefit Russian propaganda machine,”

We are deeply disappointed by the decision of the ATP and WTA to remove ranking points from The Championships.

“We find these decisions disproportional in the light of exceptional and extraordinary circumstances and our position, which is detrimental to all Tour competitors.”

Wimbledon’s ban against Russian and Belarusian players is being criticized by top tennis players like Rafa Nadal, 21-time Grand Slam champion who called it unfair. World number one Novak Djokovic also said he was not in favor of the decision.

Our rules and agreements are in place to safeguard the rights of all players. The ATP stated that unilateral decisions like this, if not addressed, can set a dangerous precedent for the remainder of the Tour.”

Discrimination by tournaments is not possible on Tours that operate in over 30 countries.

We remain optimistic that further negotiations with Wimbledon will lead to an acceptable result for everyone.

“We believe, more broadly speaking, that this case again reinforces the necessity for a united governance structure within professional tennis to ensure decisions of this kind can be taken in a collaborative manner.”

TUNE-UP EVENTS

The Wimbledon ban was also rescinded by the Lawn Tennis Association of Britain (LTA), which exempted players from both countries from its tune up tour events.

WTA however stated its tournaments at Nottingham and Birmingham would continue with ranking points as an “alternative and similar playing” and that there were ranking points available for those who play in Eastbourne.

Also, the ATP earlier this week stated that Queen’s and Eastbourne events will continue as usual. This would allow for full ATP ranking points.

The LTA tournaments continue to provide full ranking points. However, sanctions by the ATP or WTA are being considered for the British governing body.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF), on the other hand, stated it would not award Wimbledon ranking points this year in junior or wheelchair tennis.

According to the ITF, Wimbledon’s entry requirements banning Russians or Belarusians “compromised the integrity of the international competition and in particular its ranking system as there was a dearth of alternatives for players competing for rank points and money.”