By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, July 3, 2023
Russia's Andrey Rublev is happy to be back at Wimbledon.
That's despite being unable to compete last year due to the tournament's ban on Russian and Belarusian players because of the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict.
A year later, he feels the Alll-England Club could have found a different solution that resulted in both the ATP and WTA protesting the action by stripping all ranking points for the event.
The No. 7 seed Rublev enjoyed a first round win over Monday against Australia's Max Purcell 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
When asked in his press conference if he thought last year's player ban was a mistake, Rublev said there were better options.
"I think that, I mean, we were talking, and I think we could find the solution," Rublev said. "Yeah, if we really want to help or do what is better for tennis and for the people, I think obviously there was better options. Not just to ban. Because in the end, was no difference. They did only worse to themselves.
"So in the end, I think, yeah, that there was for sure there was options to do much better for everyone. For Wimbledon to, how you say, to take all the benefits from some actions, but it is what it is. Now we are here, and like I said, I'm really happy to be back and to compete."
The 25-year-old Rublev was among the first players to speak out openly against the conflict early last year after his semifinal win in Dubai. Rublev wrote "No War Please" on a camera lens after the match, which earned him huge applause from the crowd and criticism later on social media.
Rublev, who has been sympathetic to all those involved in the conflict was asked if he feels his playing at Wimbledon makes that clear.
“I don't really think that they care that much if I play or I don't play," Rublev admitted. "I mean, in my case, I did everything very clear already many times, but I don't think that their focus on me, to watch if I'm playing or not, and if what it means if I'm playing or if I pull out."
Rublev, whose best result at Wimbledon was reaching the fourth round in 2021, is hopeful that he will go deeper in the event this year and is just glad to be through his opening round.
"The first match is always, you don't know what to expect. Like I said, after the practice courts, the match ones are a bit different," Rublev said. "So you stress a bit more. Plus was windy, you know, and when you are on the match, all these little details start to stress you much, much more than if it's practice."
"But, yeah, I'm happy that I was able to, with the time, get used to conditions and to finish match on a good level."
Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty