Eugenie Bouchard has just announced that she will not play in Wimbledon following the decision of the WTA not to award any rankings points. Naomi Osaka may skip the event for the same reason.
Genie Bouchard is still recovering from her shoulder injury and she has to be careful how she uses her protected rankings to access the main draws of slams. Following the controversial ban of the Russian and the Belarusian players in Wimbledon, the ATP and WTA decided not to give any ranking points to the players competing in the year’s 3rd slam. Therefore, Genie will use her protected rankings to access the main draw of the US Open and the Australian Open.
This was Bouchard statement:
“Hi guys, quick update on my end. I have decided to withdraw from Wimbledon due to the WTA’s decision to not award ranking points at this year’s Championships.
Due to my shoulder surgery, I get a limited number of protected ranking (PR) entries.
As much as I love Wimbledon and skipping it makes me sad, using a PR entry at a tournament with no ranking points doesn’t make sense. I must choose wisely and use my PR entries at tournaments that will help me get back to where I want to be.
I am continuing my training/rehab and plan on returning to competition later this summer. I will now use my two Grand Slam PR entries for the US Open and the Australian Open.
Thank you for all the amazing messages of support. I love you guys and can’t wait to see everyone again soon.”
Naomi Osaka and Wimbledon
Naomi Osaka has never been too eager to compete in Europe. During a recent press conference, the Japanese player said that Wimbledon without points seems to be just a high-level exhibition and she was unsure if she would play the tournament. Even if there is no official statement from the former world number 1, it is extremely plausible that she will not play in the British major.
Eugenie Bouchard in 2022
Ranked world no.331, the Canadian played her last match on the 16th of March 2021 when she was defeated by world no.95 Lin Zhu 7-5 7-6(3) in the 1st round in Monterrey (draw).
This year the Canadian has achieved a 0-0 win-loss record.
Naomi Osaka in 2022
Now ranked no.43, Naomi played her last match on the 23rd of May when she surrendered to world no.25 Amanda Anisimova 7-5 6-4 in the 1st round of the French Open (draw).
This season Osaka owns a compiled 12-5 win-loss record. Naomi Osaka’s best accomplishment of this season was reaching the final in Miami.
Eugenie Bouchard and Naomi Osaka have never clashed against each other.
