The crowd on Center Court cheered Andrey Rublev against Novak Djokovic. Photo: Shutterstock/Tolga Akmen
Andrey Rublev says he felt he «didn't deserve» the support of the Wimbledon crowd because he was Russian.
25-year-old Rublev missed last year's tournament along with his compatriots and all Belarusian players due to the fact that Wimbledon responded by banning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
On his return this year, he reached the quarterfinals, and on Tuesday Center Court more than once turned the crowd when they tried to call him against Novak. Djokovic.
After losing in four sets, Rublev said he felt «grateful» that the British public supported him, especially considering where he comes from.
“I felt really great support throughout these two weeks. Today also. Being from the country where I am in order to have this support is special. I don't know, sometimes I feel like I don't deserve it or something. To have it, I don't know… I don't know what needs to be done to have this support. I am very grateful for that.”
Ever since the war began, Rublev has been the leading Russian voice against the conflict. In fact, on the night before the February 2022 invasion, he wrote “No war please” on a camera lens after his match in Dubai.
When asked if he felt guilty about being from Russia, Rublev replied that he did not: “No. I do not know what to say. I have made so many statements. I think my opinion is very clear, so it's not to blame. It's just a terrible situation. Of course, you don't wish this on anyone. You want these horrible things to end as quickly as possible so that all people in the world have a chance at a good life.»
Rublev showed brilliant tennis on his way to the final eight. Photo: AFP/Daniel Leal
Rublev's comments follow a busy weekend at Wimbledon. On Sunday Victoria Azarenka of Belarus was booed off the court after losing to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, the audience seemed unaware that it was Svitolina who refused their handshake. moments with the fans, Rublev had nothing but good reviews.
On the eve of Wimbledon, he told Telegraph Sport that he was glad that the tournament was providing additional support to the Ukrainian players playing here, and also said that he had received support from the fans before his arrival for the championship.
“Being here this year, I was grateful,” Rublev said on Tuesday. “I am happy that I was able to have a very, very good two weeks of tennis. I'm happy that I was able to, I think, for the first time in the quarter-finals, as much as I can, compared to all the other quarter-finals that I have participated in. This is the first time I'm proud of myself. .”
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