"It's important to be together and have peace" - Rublev on his post-match message

Tuesday, 15 November 2022 at 14:30

Updated at Tuesday, 15 November 2022 at 13:21

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byJamie Malachy

Andrey Rublev has expanded on his post-match message, written on the camera lens following his opening match win in the ATP Finals against compatriot Daniil Medvedev, which said 'Peace, peace, peace. All we need'.

Speaking to press following that victory, Rublev explained that he wrote what he felt was right, and that the message was not pre-planned and came to him naturally. His message was seen as a reference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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"Not much to say. I think I did already many statement this year", said Rublev, who also made a similar gesture during the Dubai Tennis Championships in February and has made several anti-war references throughout the year.

"I don’t know, I had an opportunity. I did what I feel. I didn’t even had an idea or something in my head before, just came natural, that’s it. I think it’s important, especially in our time, like I was saying many times, to have peace. We have internet. We have easy life. We can fly, travel, do sports, take care of the family. No one wants to suffer or struggle".

Rublev went to apply his message to a wider statement about wars around the world, "I think it was already many, many years ago. I don’t think that we need to. Many countries are suffering, and that’s it. That’s why I think it’s important to be together and have peace".

The Russian invasion has resulted in tennis players from Russia and Belarus being banned from UK tournaments this year, having to play under a neutral flag for others, and both countries being suspended from international team competition.

Despite this, Rublev has quietly gone about constructing a successful season, winning four ATP titles and qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals.

His opening win against fellow Russian, Medvedev, marks his second consecutive victory over his compatriot. Rublev will play five-time champion Novak Djokovic next.