Former six-time Grand Slam doubles champion Rennae Stubbs believes the ATP did the right thing by allowing Novak Djokovic to qualify for the ATP Finals via a Grand Slam qualification rule. Djokovic, who entered this week outside the top 8 on the Race To Turin list, qualified for the ATP Finals a month ago.
After winning Wimbledon, Djokovic won back-to-back titles at the Tel Aviv Open and Astana Open in early October. The ATP has a rule that eighth place at the ATP Finals is reserved for a Grand Slam champion, who also finishes between 8th and 20th on the Race to Turin list.
Stubbs, who was unimpressed by the decision by the ATP and WTA not to award any ranking points to this year’s Wimbledon entrant, welcomed the ATP allowing Djokovic to qualify via a ranking rule of Grand Slam.
Stubbs: Not having Djokovic at ATP Finals would have been foolish
«The ATP and the WTA Tours didn’t allow Wimbledon points for me, but I’m glad the ATP at least allowed the rule that if you win a Slam, you’re still in the Masters, because not having Novak Djokovic competing would have been MUTE!
I feel bad for all the players who did well there,» Stubbs tweeted.
the @atptour @WTA The tours not allowing points at Wimbledon for me was so ugh, but I’m glad the ATP at least allowed the rule of, if you win a slam, you’re still in the masters, because not having @DjokerNole competing would have been FOOLISH!
I feel bad for all the players who did well there. — Rennae Stubbs OLY (@rennaestubbs) November 3, 2022
Meanwhile, Stubbs also offered her thoughts on World No.4 Cori Gauff. Gauff, 18, made her debut at the WTA Finals this week.
In her first two WTA Finals matches, Gauff went 0-2. After Gauff suffered a 7-6(6) 6-3 loss to Daria Kasatkina, Stubbs praised Gauff for who she is as a tennis player and as a person. «Coco is a great girl, she works hard and is a joy to be around and after some time off she would suggest completely breaking that forehand technique and serving.
If she can control them and be confident, she’ll be even harder to play against!» Stubbs opined.
Coco is a great girl, she works hard and is a joy to be around and after some time off I would suggest completely breaking that forehand technique and serving.
If she can control them and be confident, it will be even harder to play against her! #big kid — Rennae Stubbs OLY (@rennaestubbs) November 4, 2022
