Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki has become the latest person to call for Serena Williams to be seeded at Wimbledon as officials meet today to make a decision.
Williams, 36, missed more than 12 months of the tour between 2017-2018 due to maternity leave. Since starting her comeback at a Fed Cup tie in February, the former world No.1 has only been able to participate in three tournaments. Resulting in her having a current ranking of 183rd in the world. Meaning that she will not be seeded at Wimbledon, unless the tournament changes their policy. Something she hopes will occur in the near future.
“I think and I hope — and it should be under review — to change these rules. Maybe not in time for me, but for the next person,” Williams told Good Morning America last week. “Maybe she’s 25 and she wants to have a baby, but she doesn’t want her career to be over. She wants to continue to play. So I think it’s important to have those rules”
In recent months there has been a debate surrounding the protected ranking system and maternity rules. Earlier this year Simona Halep said the American should have been the top seed at the BNP Paribas Open in what was Williams’ comeback tournament. Halep told reporters that she should have ‘been seeded as she left.’
Speaking about the matter at Eastbourne on Monday, world No.2 Wozniacki has also urged The All-England Club to change their policy and grant a seeding to Williams. Saying that she has earned the spot due to her success in the sport. Williams, who has won 23 grand slam titles, reached the fourth round of the French Open whilst unseeded. She was then forced to withdraw due to injury.
“She’s (Serena Williams) the greatest player to ever play the sport,” Wozniacki told reporters after defeating Camila Giorgi on Monday.
“Having won so many Grand Slams and being number one for so many years, she deserves a seeding.”
Prior to Wozniacki, John McEnroe has told The Guardian newspaper that the American should be seeded ‘Somewhere between one and 10 – one and 16 at the worst.’ Later adding that if that was to happen, there were be few objections among the tour – “I don’t think there would be a player that would complain, especially the top ones, if she was one of the top eight.”
Wimbledon officials have been put under extra pressure in recent days following a decision by the US Open. The New York grand slam have confirmed that they will factor maternity into the seeding of a player. According to The Daily Mail, Tim Henman has hinted that Williams could end up with a seeding. Henman is a member of The All-England Club Committee, which is the group that will have the final say on the matter.
An announcement on if Williams will be seeded or not will be made on Wednesday.
