Ukraine Crisis
“No politics in sport” says tennis ace Andrey Rublev
There should be “no politics” in sport, according to Andrey Rublev – the world No 7 – who says athletes just want to do their jobs.
The 24-year-old previously made it known where he stands when he wrote “No war please” on a camera lens at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The British government says players might have to denounce President Vladimir Putin if they want to compete at this year’s Wimbledon.
Under new regulations, players from Russia and Belarus can’t compete under their countries’ flags and names on ATP and WTA Tours, they can only play as individuals.
Rublev speaks
Ruble said: “Talking about the British government, it’s like I said, I think we should show a great example that tennis should be outside of politics.
“Not tennis, but in general sport. We’re athletes. We want to compete. We were sacrificing so many things.
“We don’t see our family. Many of the athletes, they change home because of the conditions of the sport, they’re doing basketball, football. If you go from one team to another, you move completely, stuff like that.
“I think that’s the most important thing, that we were sacrificing a lot just to be able to compete, to show that we want to do our job, that’s it.
“I think sport should be outside of politics because everyone say this, but in the end looks like still it’s not happening.
“That’s why I hope that in sport they will show there is no politics and we will be a good example to have a huge step forward.”