Wimbledon will not hand out points, but it will deliver the biggest prizes in its history

After Wimbledon’s decision to ban the participation of Russian and Belarusian tennis players in the 2022 edition, due to the invasion and war in Ukraine, and the harsh responses of ATP and WTA, which deprived the tournament of the points it awards for rankings, here were some figures who questioned their presence in London. There were even versions of a possible boycott, which in the end were nothing more than indiscretions. But in order not to risk losing players, and perhaps also to make up for the impossibility that the protagonists will have to defend last year’s crops, the English Grand Slam has announced a historic increase in the prize pool for this year.

Total, will distribute approximately £ 40 million ($ 51 million)which represents an increase of 11.1 percent compared to the stock market of the last edition and of 5.4 percent compared to that of 2019, the year before the pandemic, the last one which was held at full capacity.

The champions of the women’s and men’s singles draw will each take home £ 2 million ($ 2.45 million), an amount that is 17.6% more than in 2021 and 14.9% more than in 2019. Finalists will receive £ 1 million ($ 1.25 million); while those who fall in the first round, 50,000 pounds (62,700 dollars), 11.1 per cent more than three years ago.

“Investing in the players is of the utmost importance for the tournament and the total prize pool for tennis events for 2022 reflects that,” the organization said in a statement, in which it also recalled that in 2020, after the cancellation of the contest due to the worldwide crisis caused by the coronavirus, a total of 10,066,000 pounds (nearly $ 13 million) were distributed among the players who had entered directly into the draw that year.

From the All England Club, assured that “the distribution of the prize pool for 2022 continues to give importance to the support of the players in the first rounds of the event”. Therefore, the largest percentage increase in singles competitions occurred in the rankings. Players who lose in the first round will take home 11,000 pounds (just over $ 13,500), 57.1% more than in 2019. The total increase in qualifiers will be 48.1% compared to the last pre-season. pandemic.

The growth of cash prize it will impact all frames, not just individuals. In the case of the wheelchair tournament, for example, the bag has grown by 15.1 percent compared to what was distributed in 2019 and the champion will win 51,000 pounds (almost 64,000 dollars). Meanwhile, the doubles and mixed doubles prize pools have grown significantly: 1.7 and 0.5 percent compared to the tournament three years ago.

“From the first qualifying round to the crowning of champions, this year’s prize distribution intends to reflect the importance of players to Wimbledon as we look to continue to offer one of the biggest sporting events in the world and with a particularly special tournament ahead. “, commented Ian Hewittpresident of the AELTC.

Will that increase be enough to finally convince the “undecided”, who are not sure of playing a tournament that does not offer points for the world rankings? In that group there is, for example, the Japanese Naomi Osaka, who, during her stay at Roland Garros, clarified her position.

“I’m not sure I’m going to participate. I’m a motivated player to climb the ranks. Without points, Wimbledon will be like a show. There’s no motivation to give your 100 percent,” said the former world number one.

At the other extreme was Novak Djokovic, who never questioned his participation, despite strongly criticizing the exclusion of Russians and Belarusians –“It was a bad decision, I don’t support it at all”he affirmed – and that he will be the most affected by the loss of points, because he will give up the 2,000 of his coronation in 2021 and will drop to 7th place in the ranking.

This 135th edition of Wimbledon – from June 27 to July 10 – will be special for several reasons. On the one hand, due to the circumstances in which it will be played. Without Russian players – including Daniil Medvedev, who will be the new number one in the world from next Monday – or Belarusians, exclusion by nationality that had not occurred since the years after World War II, when the participation of Germans and Japanese. And no points up for grabs.

And on the other, because the event will celebrate a very special anniversary, its centenary Central Court in its current position in Street of the Church; they will play again with the stadiums enabled at full capacity; and because it will be the first time without Middle Sundaythat traditional Sunday rest day between the first and second week which, from this year, will disappear, to make way for 14 uninterrupted days of competition.