The short lawn tennis season is in full swing with the ATP tournaments in Eastbourne and Mallorca this week— and then there is Roehampton, the qualifying tournament for Wimbledon (that starts on Monday).
Wimbledon has banned Russian and Belarussian players from the tournament this year. The ATP and WTA (representing the players) have retaliated by announcing that no ranking points will be awarded for those that are allowed to play.
Seven-time Wimbledon champ Serena Williams (40), has been given a wildcard to play. Rafael Nadal (36) has announced he is good to go as well (he has had a lingering foot injury).
It looks lovely, with the sun casting shadows on the grass courts, spectators on the knoll, but it really is a bare-bones venue, loathed by the players. The lawns are uneven, with too few practice and warm-up courts. No water and extra towels on the courts, no technology to help with line calls, no stands for the spectators and no parking anywhere. ‘Take the bus or a taxi from the nearest train station, and bring a lawn chair’, advises the website.
Still: do you want to have a shot at Wimbledon or not? Win three matches and you are in. Even if you lose in the final round at Roehampton, you could still get invited as a ‘lucky loser’ to fill a last-minute opening in Wimbledon’s main draw.