Washington (United States) – Political issues have been a constant topic on the circuit in 2022, with restrictions placed on unvaccinated tennis players in some countries, as was the case in Australia earlier this year and now in the United States and Canada , to the question of the Russians and Belarusians, prevented from competing at Wimbledon because of the invasion of Ukraine.
One of those affected, Russian Andrey Rublev, took a stand against outside interference in the circuit’s daily routine and demanded a bigger exemption. “Of course, politics has always been part of sport. Everyone knows this, but I think that if we stick together and do things for peace, tennis can set an example and be followed by many other sports.
“Perhaps one day sport will be able to detach itself from politics. I believe tennis can be separated from politics because it is one of those sports that is independent from the rest. We have players from all over the world, we travel to all nations. At least I believe so,” added the Russian, who is competing in the ATP 500 in Washington this week.
The main favorite for the North American tournament title, Rublev made his debut with a straight-set victory over Britain’s Jack Draper and is now awaiting the winner of the all-home duel between Jack Sock and 13th seed Maxime Cressy.
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