?We Are Not Here to Talk About Politics? – Andrey Rublev Reveals About the Conversation the Russian Players Had With Wimbledon

Andrey Rublev feels that the reason that Wimbledon gave for banning the Russian players makes no sense. The day before yesterday, Wimbledon announced that Russian players will not be allowed to compete at the 2022 Wimbledon. The decision came in following the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Coming as a surprise for the whole tennis community, the decision received immense criticism, and continues to do so.

Following the decision, a number of Russian players decided to have a word with the Wimbledon officials. Yesterday, 22nd April, Russian star Andrey Rublev opened up about the same while talking to the media.

Andrey Rublev on not being very comfortable with the language

Andrey Rublev is currently playing at the Serbia Open. However, the Wimbledon announcement has undoubtedly affected him in the worst possible way. Following his second-round clash with Jiri Lehecka, Rublev opened up about the conversation the Russian players had with Wimbledon. He also presented his personal opinions on the same.

World No. 8 started by confessing that he is not educated enough to know the whole matter. He also confessed that he does not know the ‘smart’ and ‘educated’ words to express himself.

“First of all, I’m not political. I don’t know anything-I’m not reading the news, I’m not following because I was working hard to play tennis; and that’s my job. I have no education. So, I will try to explain how I feel. Sorry for my language and because I don’t know the smart, educated words-especially on this serious question. So, I will try to speak with more simple words.”

Rublev’s opinion on Wimbledon’s decision

Since the start, the 2022 Dubai Open champion has been vocal about his stand on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Like many other top players, Rublev has also criticized his country and has appealed for peace between the two nations. Opening up about the conversation the Russian players had with Wimbledon, Rublev expressed his opinion about the same.

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He said, “Yesterday, we had a call-a few players and Wimbledon-just to talk about the situation and how maybe we can [find] some solution. To be honest, the reasons that they gave [for the ban]… there is no [sense]. There is no even logic [for what] they propose. And I understand, for example, if they banned us-if they banned Russian players and Belarusian players-and at least it made like a half-percent or something of change or help. But it’s not gonna anything and it’s not gonna change anything.”

He also claimed that Wimbledon’s decision is against Britain’s policy of freedom of speech and democracy.

“The thing that’s happening now, it’s completely discrimination [against] us and this is more, I think, what [the British] government are proposing. If they are for free free words, that you’re able to speak, democracy [then this decision is inconsistent with that],” he said.

Andrey Rublev on the proposal the Russian players gave to Wimbledon

The conversation between the Russian players and Wimbledon was not restricted to the players urging Wimbledon to let them play. Instead, it also encompassed the players giving their suggestions to The Championships. Alleging Wimbledon’s decision did not make any sense, Rublev opened up on the proposals given by the Russian players to Wimbledon, which according to him, made sense.

Opening up about the proposals, Rublev hoped that Wimbledon would give them the room for choosing if they want to play or not. He also suggested that Russian players won’t mind donating all their prize money towards the Humanitarian help.

“What we proposed to Wimbledon-and I hope that it will make sense and I hope that they will think about it is to have at least a chance to choose if we want to play or we don’t want to play. And if there is a statement that we need to sign, on top of that, to give all the prize money to humanitarian help-to the families who are suffering, to the kids who [are] suffering, [we’ll do that],” Rublev said.

The possible outcomes of the proposal by the Russian players

Talking about the possible positive results of the proposals, Rublev explained how the proposals could help in the ongoing crisis, unlike Wimbledon’s decision, which according to him, will not make any change. Elaborating further, he also explained how the proposal could be beneficial for tennis, especially Wimbledon.

“I think that move, at least, will do something at least, that means and it will show that [the British] government is standing for peace, and they really want to do action to help. And I think, if you calculate more or less the amount of money, it can be [depending on how well the players are doing] up to 1 million pounds. And this is a huge, huge [amount of] money that I think in two months not one [other] sport ever donated. So, tennis will be the first and only sport who will donate that amount of money and it will be [through] Wimbledon.”

Explaining further how the proposed idea could benefit Wimbledon, Rublev asserted that the proposal would give Wimbledon the room to take all the glory and respect from the whole world. He said, “They (Wimbledon) will take all the glory, all the respect from everyone-not from us [players], because no one cares about us. So, I think this is the right move to maybe to see and to check this.”

Andrey Rublev on being a Russian

In conclusion, the Russian star confessed that he is not here to talk about politics. Going further, he elaborated on his love for being a Russian. He said, “In the end of the day, we want to compete; we are not here to talk about politics. Because I have no idea anything about this. In the end of the day, I’m Russian and I was born in Russia and live all my life in Russia. And I just want to show that we are good people…. In my case, I just try to be humble and try to be educated in the right way. So, I hope that’s made everything clear.”

Rublev is currently warming up to raise his performance at Roland Garros. However, with Wimbledon just over two months away from now, it is sure to be a rollercoaster ride to see whether Russian players would be able to participate at the Championships, Wimbledon.

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