Andrey Rublevthe number eight in the ATP ranking and classified today for the quarterfinals of the Belgrade Open, has spoken of the prohibition by Wimbledon that Russian and Belarusian tennis players participate in the next edition due to the armed conflict that their countries maintain with Ukraine.
“Wimbledon does not solve anything with the veto, it is discrimination“, warns the Muscovite based in Barcelona and who trains under Fernando Vicente at 4Slam Tennis.
Rublev revealed that on Wednesday afternoon some of the 17 players affected by the veto had a conversation with the leaders of the All England Club.
“They must give us the opportunity to decide whether to play or not and if they want we give all the money to the families and children affected by the war,” he continues.
I am Russian and I want to show that we are good people
According to the player’s own calculations one million pounds (1,200,000 euros) could be raised and it would be proof that the British government cares about what is happening in the Ukraine.
“All I want is to compete because I have no idea about politics. I was born in Russia, I have lived all my life there and I want to show that we are good people“, aade.
“No to war”, Rublev’s forceful message
Rublev was one of the first tennis players who condemned the war and asked that it stop with a signature in the chamber of the Dubai tournament after one of his victories.
