Wimbledon To Change Seeding Formula for Men’s Draw Starting In 2021
Wimbledon will get rid of its special seeding formula for the men’s draw starting in 2021. Wimbledon will simply follow the ATP rankings for its men’s seeds just like other grand slams.
“Since last year’s Championships, we have also taken the time to give consideration to the evolution of the sport and the mechanisms of allocating seeding for The Championships.
Given the quality of competition, entertainment and modern grass courts, following detailed discussion with the player groups, the AELTC has decided that the grass court seeding formula used since 2002 has served its time, and from The Championships 2021 seeding for the Gentlemen’s singles draw will be based solely on ranking. There will be no change to the method of seeding for the Ladies’ singles draw.”
Wimbledon Statement
The special seeding system introduced in 2002 at Wimbledon seeded players based on their grass-court results. This has been controversial as players were seeded below or higher than their ATP rankings.
Top players such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have criticized the special seeding system. Nadal once complained, “They want to do it by their own rules. Another thing is we are an organization like ATP that, I repeat, we give two thousand points to this event. We supposed to have something to say about this Wimbledon rules when we are giving them the maximum points possible in one event.”