Andrey Rublev believes Wimbledon was mistaken to ban him and his fellow Russians final 12 months and stated the one loser was the occasion itself.
The All England Membership this 12 months overturned its controversial choice to not enable players from Russia and Belarus to compete within the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
“I feel that, I imply, we had been speaking, and I feel we may discover the answer,” stated world quantity seven Rublev after changing into the primary man into the second spherical at this 12 months’s Championships.
“Yeah, if we actually need to assist or do what is best for tennis and for the folks, I feel clearly there have been higher choices. Not simply to ban. As a result of ultimately, (there) was no distinction. They did solely worse to themselves.
“So ultimately, I feel that there have been choices to do a lot better for everybody.
“Now we’re right here, I’m actually pleased to be again and to compete.”
The ATP and WTA excursions subsequently stripped Wimbledon 2022 of rating factors in response to the ban.
This 12 months, Russian and Belarusian players have all signed declarations stating they won’t specific assist for both regime and that they don’t seem to be receiving any direct or oblique authorities assist.
Rublev, 25, recovered from 2-5 down within the second set on his approach to beating Australian Max Purcell 6-3 7-5 6-4.
His victory arrange an all-Russian conflict with Aslan Karatsev within the second spherical.
