Andrey Rublev also left out in Wimbledon 2023? "Politics more important than peace"
In an interview with CLAY, Andrey Rublev spoke about the exclusion of Russian players from Wimbledon - and revealed that things are not looking too rosy for 2023 either. That is why the Russians have launched an attack on British politics.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Dec 19, 2022, 11:09 pm
Andrey Rublev is one of those players who likes to use the obligatory signature on the camera to send a message after winning a match. The 25-year-old has particularly enjoyed doing this since the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, and the world ranking night has repeatedly called for peace via this channel. A strong sign that also and especially shows that a general exclusion of Russian players - as individual players - in Wimbledon is at least a delicate decision.
And this is exactly what is on the horizon in 2023, as Rublev explained to CLAY: Together with the ATP and the Grand Slams, there were numerous meetings in which they very actively offered to be able to help. However, the organizers of Wimbledon in particular have largely fallen on deaf ears: "We offered them that, but they are not interested. They really do not want to help. The English government has probably proved that for them it is all about politics ."
Rublev with sharp words towards Great Britain
Andrey Rublev even goes one step further: "They show that politics is more important than peace," the Russian exclaimed: "We can at least send a clear signal that sport can be separated from political issues. That could be a good start . I know it's difficult because they will always use sport to manipulate politics." Especially since the 25-year-old emphasized that a renewed exclusion would not have any real effect - except, of course, a negative one for tennis.
And that's what it's supposed to be about, Rublev implies. Who will hibernate in eighth place in the ATP world rankings, although the Russian's nerves often prevented greater success in the calendar year - also and especially in the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals, where the Russian clearly fell behind Casper Ruud after several breakouts on the pitch failed. Rublev is therefore already working meticulously on the mental component, as dierser explained: "A few exercises, meditation and things like that. I do everything. I analyze myself, accept things, especially if they are difficult to accept. Honestly be yourself when you do something wrong: it's my fault, it's not someone else's fault."
However, by accepting this weakness, the Russian has already taken the first step towards improvement: "Many people do not want to admit that they have weaknesses because they are perhaps afraid that others will learn more about them, or perhaps because of their ego ' Rublev said. "It's been a journey. I've known my weaknesses for many years. For me, the mental aspect is the hardest part. For me, it's easier to improve on technical or physical things."