World No. 7 Andrey Rublev advanced to this weekend’s final with Friday’s semifinal win at the Dubai Championships. After eliminating fifth-seeded Hubert Hurkacz in three sets, the 24-year-old Russian pulled out a pen and delivered a powerful message, writing “No war please” on a TV camera before heading off the court.
Rublev was obviously referencing the current conflict in Ukraine with President Vladimir Putin authorizing Russian troops to begin a “full-scale” invasion earlier this week. Russia has been widely condemned for occupying Ukraine with United States President Joe Biden and other prominent world leaders warning of significant sanctions if the attacks continue.
It didn’t take long for the sports world to respond with hosting duties for this year’s UEFA Champions League Final, originally scheduled for May 28th in Saint Petersburg, now belonging to Paris. Next week’s ATP event in Moscow has also been postponed while teams (Manchester United among them) and athletes have been quick to distance themselves from Russian sponsors. Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, who has supported Putin in the past, was also critical of Russia’s involvement in Ukraine, echoing Rublev’s anti-war sentiment.
The Russian government has already detained over 1,000 protestors, with many gathering outside Palace Square in Saint Petersburg.
Rublev will face Jiri Veseley (who just upset Novak Djokovic, ending Djokovic’s record 361-week reign atop the world rankings) in Saturday’s championship match at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Dubai.
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