Andrey Rublev says the player ban implemented last year at Wimbledon failed to make an impact after winning his opening match on Monday.
Rublev, who is seeded seventh in the men’s draw, began his campaign with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4, win over Australia’s Max Purcell. He didn’t drop his serve throughout the entire match where he hit a total of 27 winners. This year is his fourth appearance at Wimbledon and he has never lost his opening match at the tournament so far in his career with his overall win-loss record standing at 6-3.
Besides his performance on the court, the world No.7 also received a warm reception from the crowd after recent uncertainty about how they would react to him. Rublev wasn’t allowed to play last year following a decision from The All England Club to ban Russian and Belarussian players due to the war in Ukraine. A somewhat controversial decision with both the ATP and WTA blasting the move.
“I feel really happy to be back,” Rublev said after beating Purcell. “In general I haven’t played at Wimbledon much. I was either injured or there was a pandemic or they banned us.’
“I feel really special and really happy to be back in London to play at one of the best tournaments. To get a win today was a nice moment.”
Rublev has previously stated his opposition to the war with him writing a ‘no war’ message on the camera following one of matches in Dubai shortly after the conflict began. He has also made similar remarks since then. However, like other Russian players, he has never gone as far as criticizing his government which has implemented laws that prohibit their people from condemning the military.
“If we wanted to help or do what is better for tennis, I think there were better options,” he commented on the 2022 ban. “Not just to ban (players) because in the end there was no difference. They did only worse to themselves.”
Whilst Rublev and his compatriots are back in action, his native country still has some restrictions placed on them by the AELTC who have removed the awarding of broadcast rights and selling of their merchandise. Undoubtedly the country faces challenges in promoting their sport internationally due to the war but Rublev hopes he is playing his part.
“Wimbledon is always special, all the slams are always special. To play at 11:00 a.m. and to see a full stadium, it’s always a nice and special feeling.” He said.
“I hope that obviously in my country they are watching more and more tennis because I hope it’s getting more popular. But I think it depends on the results from every player.”
The war in Ukraine continues to be a sensitive topic at the grass-court major. Earlier in the day, a journalist asked Veronika Kudmertova how her relationship was with Ukrainian players in the locker room before the press conference moderator stepped in and said ‘move it on to tennis, if it’s okay.” Although Kudermotova did provide an answer.
“I say hi. Some people, they reply; some do not. Like others, I just say here we are just a tennis player. It’s like that,” she said.
Seven Russian players are in action on the first day of the tournament.
