Former ATP pro labels Rublev 'liar & hypocrite' for Wimbledon statement

Alexandr Dolgopolov Andrey Rublev Wimbledon Russian ban combo

April 22, 2022

ATP Tennis Players, Tennis News, Tennis Players, Tennis Tournaments, Wimbledon

Ukrainian former ATP pro labels Andrey Rublev a ‘liar and hypocrite’ for statement on Wimbledon ban

Alexandr Dolgopolov has urged Andrey Rublev to reconsider his words in response to the decision made by Wimbledon to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the 2022 Championships.

The former world number 13 believes that the Russian world number eight was not truthful in the statement he made from the Serbia Open in Belgrade.

The news comes after the ATP, WTA and figures like world number one Novak Djokovic and tennis legend Martina Navratilova condemned the move from Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian former world number three Elina Svitolina has stated that banned athletes should be permitted to play should they clearly denounce Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion.

Dolgopolov began a long Twitter explanation by saying: “In this thread, let’s discuss, why this Rublev statement is mostly lying and hypocrisy, exactly the how Russia acts in the world.

“Will post my thought and why the ATP and WTA should not try to step aside and welcome these kind of behaviours.”

Dolgopolov refuted Rublev’s comments on coming from “an uneducated place” as well as other claims made by the 24-year-old.

One of those claims is that should Wimbledon instead allow banned players to compete and donate their prize money to humanitarian aid in Ukraine, tennis would be among one of the first sports to offer such help to the nation, estimating the amount to be in the range of £1 million.

Dolgopolov then points out that Roger Federer individually pledged $500,000, while the likes of former footballer David Beckham and sporting franchises the New York Jets and Real Madrid FC, as well as the Premier League, each donated £1 million or $1 million.

He ends the thread saying: “If [Russians and Belarusians] want to speak, speak the truth and precisely, not with lies.

“Thank you to all the world for support, and big hug from Kyiv, Ukraine.”