‘Wimbledon is a Slam, they’ll play’ – Matteo Berrettini certain on 2022 Championships status
Wimbledon 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini believes the 2022 Championships will have no problem attracting the top players despite being stripped of ranking points.
The world number 10 is playing Queen’s this week after winning in Stuttgart.
Berrettini will drop 1200 ranking points that he earned from reaching last year’s final after the 2022 event thanks to the move by the ATP to remove ranking points from the grass Slam.
He said though: “I think everybody’s going to go play Wimbledon regardless, points or no points.
“It’s a Slam.
“If I read it right it’s going to be record prize money [there] this year as well.
“So, everybody’s willing to play obviously, also because it’s Wimbledon.”
Tournament organisers recently announced that yes, Wimbledon will have a record prize pool for 2022, exceeding £40m total for the first time ever.
Moreover, the mere status of the event will bring players to London.
Berrettini continued: “It’s one of the most important tournaments that we have.
“I don’t see anybody saying ‘Ok, I’m not going because there are no points’.
“I think it’s affecting more the ones who have to defend [points] and the ones who can possibly gain a lot of points.
“For example, for me, reaching the semi-finals in the US Open changed my career, because then I qualified for the ATP Finals when it was [still] in London.
“[That] situation changed everything, so I think it’s also not really fair for those players.
“But I don’t think there are going to be any changes in the tournament.
“I think everyone will play with their best effort and it’s going to be a great Wimbledon.”
(Photo credit Paul Zimmer)
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