Andrey Rublev - changing nations as a last resort
In an interview with a Russian blogger, Andrey Rublev explained how the situation in Wimbledon developed from the point of view of the Russian players.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jul 19, 2022, 07:30 pm
Elena Rybakina is not to blame. The newly crowned Wimbledon champion, born in Moscow, changed federations four years ago, from Russia to Kazakhstan. At a time when a Russian war of aggression against neighboring Ukraine seemed inconceivable - even though Crimea was annexed in 2014. Rybakina was allowed to start under the Kazakh flag and surprisingly won the biggest title of her career.
Andrey Rublev, on the other hand, who has been mainly based in Spain for years, was one of those who had to stay out at Wimbledon. And that despite the fact that some Russian players had made far-reaching compromise offers to the organizers. "We offered you (Wimbledon) that Russian players play doubles and/or mixed doubles with Ukrainian players," Rublev told blogger Vitya Kravchenko. They also offered not to appear at the award ceremonies.
The only way out for Rublev? Probably a new passport
The most important thing at the moment is world peace, according to Rublev. And the tennis platform could have been used there. However, the only way to participate would have been for the athletes concerned to change their passport, i.e. their nation.
Would Andrey Rublev take such a measure? Certainly not for a single tournament like Wimbledon. But: "If we are excluded from all tournaments and I want to continue doing my job, then that's one of the ways out." This week Rublev is engaged in Hamburg. There he won the title in 2020 after a dramatic final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.