Andrey Rublev remains proud of his prominent anti-war message last year but says Wimbledon’s ban on him and other Russians achieved nothing and only served as the catalyst for infighting in tennis.
Entering the Australian Open as fifth seed, Rublev questioned the All-England Club’s unilateral move to prevent Russians and Belarusians from playing the grasscourt major. They were also banned from other events run by Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association.
Andrey Rublev has a tough first-round clash at this year’s Australian Open.Credit:Getty Images
Amid significant unrest in tennis stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last February, the ATP and WTA responded to the ban by stripping Wimbledon of rankings points. They argued the exclusion of players “undermined” the integrity of the tour.
Wimbledon based its decision over fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use any images of success for Russian or Belarusian players as a form of propaganda.
But Rublev believes the controversial move made no difference and, if the ban continues for the 2023 tournament, would only serve to exacerbate tensions within tennis.
Asked if he was optimistic about a policy reversal, Rublev said: “We’ll see, I mean me personally, I don’t know anything.
“But hopefully, hopefully we’ll be able to play. I hope as the previous year shows it makes no difference [and] if we’re going to be banned one more year it will not make any difference either.”
In another counter-move that resulted from the Wimbledon ban, the ATP last month followed the WTA’s lead by fining Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association.
World No.6 Rublev received widespread support last year for his spontaneous move to post an anti-war message on a TV camera.
But he lamented the flow-on effect from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and how it “becomes a fight” between tennis bodies.
“[It’s like] inside the tennis we’re starting to do something wrong, like fighting between the ATP, ITF [and other bodies] because of those things,” Rublev said.
“Because there was no point … and I think it shouldn’t be this way.
“There is other ways that can help the situation.”
A six-time grand slam quarter-finalist – including reaching the final eight in Melbourne two years ago – Rublev remains proud of his decision to write “No War Please” on a camera at a Dubai tournament last February.
“It was just in the moment, because they gave me a marker,” Rublev said.
“Everything [had] started [with the war] and everybody was in a really bad mood and everybody was like depressive because was just beginning, first days.
“It was like a shocking news so, I don’t know, it comes natural.”
Teams from Russia and Belarus were banned from the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup teams tournaments, as well as the new United Cup, a mixed-gender event run by Tennis Australia and which launched the summer.
While Russian and Belarusian players are welcome to play the Australian Open and other majors except Wimbledon, they are stopped from overtly representing their nations. Furthermore, their profiles on the ATP and WTA websites don’t specify their nationality.
On court, men’s world top 10 fixture Rublev maintains that “time will show” whether a step-up into playing major semi-finals or better will happen in 2023.
Regardless, his nightmare draw against major winner and former Australian Open finalist Dominic Thiem, a tournament wildcard, in the first round was front of mind.
“I mean hopefully I’m ready,” Rublev said.
“Here I don’t know. Here we don’t even start the tournament and I have already since the beginning a really tough match, so I’m not even thinking that far.
“I have a first round that is very tough and I just try to focus on that.”
Rublev has also expanded his off-court interests in the past year by launching the “Rublo” sportswear clothing label.
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