Naomi Osaka is likely to skip Wimbledon since the grasscourt major has been stripped of ranking points.
The ATP and WTA stripped the points after Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian players over Russian’s invasion of Ukraine.
ALSO READ: Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova knocked out of French Open
Osaka did not criticise the move but said earning points was a motivation.
“The intention of this measure was good, but the execution is all over the place,” she said.
Sharpen your backhand with our FREE guide
“I feel like if I play Wimbledon without points, it’s more like an exhibition. I know this isn’t true, right? But my brain just like feels that way. Whenever I think like something is like an exhibition, I just can’t go at it 100%.
“I didn’t even make my decision yet, but I’m leaning more towards not playing given the current circumstances.”
ALSO READ: Coco Gauff given soft warning for coaching
Osaka, 24, lost to Amanda Anisimova in the first round of the French Open on Monday.
‘Understand both sides’
Rafael Nadal, a two-time Wimbledon champion, said he did not have a “clear opinion” on the ATP’s decision to remove the tournament’s ranking points.
“At the end, I understand both sides,” the Spaniard said after beating Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 in the French Open first round.
ALSO READ: Stars missing from French Open 2022
“I respect and I understand Wimbledon’s position, without a doubt, but on the other hand, I understand and I respect too that the ATP is protecting its members.
“That’s it. [It] is not that one is doing a negative thing and the other one is doing the good thing. Everyone half.”
