Novak Djokovic news: World number one reveals Wimbledon plans after ATP sanctions

Novak Djokovic has branded Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players as "wrong," but says he will still play it this season.

Wimbledon made their decision in response to Russia's invasion on Ukraine, going a large step further than the ATP and WTA who have allowed affected players to continue to compete but not under their nation's flag.

The ATP and WTA responded this week by removing rankings points from Wimbledon, essentially reducing it to a exhibition event this year.

That will be a particular blow to Djokovic, who is now certain to lose the world number one spot due to being unable to defend the 2,000 points he won at the All England Club last year.

That is in addition to the 2,000 he dropped following his deportation from Australia at the start of the year.

However, despite that, he insists Wimbledon has never been about rankings points for him.

"I'm affected because I'm not able to defend 4,000 points [in Australia and Wimbledon]," he said.

"But I'm happy to see that the ATP and the players decided to show Wimbledon that when you make a wrong decision, there are consequences.

"Wimbledon is still Wimbledon, it was my dream as a kid, I never looked at it for points of prize money, but I understand the group of players affected. It's a lose-lose situation."

Despite the sanctions from the ATP and WTA, Wimbledon have stood by their controversial decision.

"We were not prepared to take any actions which could risk the personal safety of players, or their families," a Wimbledon statement read following the loss of ranking points.

"We believe that requiring written declarations from individual players - and that would apply to all relevant players - as a condition of entry in the high-profile circumstances of Wimbledon would carry significant scrutiny and risk.

"In addition, we remain unwilling to accept success or participation at Wimbledon being used to benefit the propaganda machine of the Russian regime, which, through its closely controlled State media, has an acknowledged history of using sporting success to support a triumphant narrative to the Russian people.

"We therefore wish to state our deep disappointment at the decisions taken by the ATP, WTA and ITF in removing ranking points for The Championships.

"We believe these decisions to be disproportionate in the context of the exceptional and extreme circumstances of this situation and the position we found ourselves in, and damaging to all players who compete on Tour."