Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev join calls for peace amidst ongoing Russia-Ukraine invasion
Both Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev are against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and both have recognised that the current situation is “more important than tennis.”
US Open champion Medvedev endured a “rollercoaster day” which saw him overtake 20-time Grand Slam icon Novak Djokovic as the new world number one but also saw his home nation Russia invade Ukraine.
This comes after weeks of escalating tensions as Russia routinely tested the waters of a full invasion, stationing military and armed forces along the Ukrainian border.
Yesterday, Russia finally invaded Ukraine to initiate the start of a new war between two of Europe’s largest countries.
Fears of further invasions have spread across the rest of Eastern Europe, with many nations fearing they may be next.
On the tennis side of affairs, Russians Medvedev and Rublev have both revealed they are against their country’s invasion, with both calling for peace and recognising the situation is bigger than tennis.
Speaking in a press conference after beating Yoshihito Nishioka at the Mexican Open, Medvedev said: “By being a tennis player I want to promote peace all over the world.
“We play in so many different countries, I’ve been in so many different countries as a junior and as a pro.
“It’s just not easy to hear all this news. I’m all for peace.”
Despite the growing tensions, Russian world number seven Rublev partnered with Ukrainian Denys Molchanov to win last week’s Marseille Open doubles.
Referring to the partnership between compatriot Rublev and Molchanov, Medvedev said: “This was amazing because I think people need to stay together and that’s the most important.
“In this moment, you understand that tennis sometimes is not that important.”
Similarly, after beating Mackenzie McDonald at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Rublev echoed his countryman’s thoughts, saying: “In these moments you realise that my match is not important.
“It’s not about my match, how it affects me.
“What’s happening is much more terrible.
“You realise how important it is to have peace in the world and to respect each other no matter what, to be united, it’s about that.
“We should take care of our earth and of each other.
“This is the most important thing.”
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