Ridicules top player returning to eat free (7)
I believe the answer is:
derides
'ridicules' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'top player returning to eat free' is the wordplay.
'top player' becomes 'seed' (eg a seeded tennis player).
'returning' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'to eat' is an insertion indicator.
'free' becomes 'rid' (to be free of something is to be rid of it).
'seed' backwards is 'dees'.
'dees' going around 'rid' is 'DERIDES'.
(Other definitions for derides that I've seen before include "Laughs at" , "Mocks, scorns" , "Ridicules" .)