Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov are not just compatriots but also double partners who recently joined hands to support a charitable cause through their craft.
Rublev and Khachanov are currently in the United States, where they recently competed at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. But neither of them progressed beyond the third round.
World No. 5 Rublev played for the first time since his shocking default in Dubai. He defeated Andy Murray in his opening match but lost to Czech rising star Jiri Lehecka in the subsequent round.
Khachanov, for his part, failed to advance to the third round. The big-hitting Russian, who won the ATP 250 event in Doha last month, was ousted by Brazilian clay-court specialist Thiago Seyboth Wild in straight sets.
After their eliminations, Rublev and Khachanov turned up at the UCLA Tennis Centre in Los Angeles to play an exhibition. These premises have gathered a lot of attention in the past month, with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic making a pitstop during his preparation for Indian Wells this year.
Khachanov teased his fans about the event by informing his Instagram followers that he will be playing compatriot Rublev on March 16. Some of the proceeds generated, mostly through ticket sales, will help Artsakh refugees—currently living in difficult conditions—in Armenia.
For Khachanov, this is a noble cause because he can trace his roots to Armenia. His father, Abgar, is an Armenian national, while his maternal grandfather is also half-Armenian.
Some of the highlights of the event were showcased on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where hundreds of tennis fans attended. Retired former World No. 1 Andre Agassi also had a ticket for the match.
The eight-time Grand Slam champion has Armenian blood. His father is of Armenian and Assyrian heritage and was on hand to support the event. Khachanov shared a photo with the tennis legend after the match and wrote, "From little Armenia with love. Thanks for coming and supporting the event! @agassi."
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