DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev wrote “No war, please” in the camera after qualifying for the final of the Dubai tournament on Friday.
The seventh racket in the world had just beaten Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5) in the semifinals.
In the final, Rublev will face Czech Jiri Vesely, who defeated Canada’s Denis Shapovalov after a 3-hour, 13-minute marathon.
Russian troops gathered near the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, on Friday, the second day of the invasion.
Rublev was not asked about this international controversy during his post-match interview.
On Thursday at the tournament in Acapulco, Mexico, his compatriot Daniil Medvedev said it was not easy for him to see his country invade Ukraine.
“As a tennis player, I want to promote peace around the world,” said the man who will become number one in the world on Monday.
“We play in many countries. It is not easy to hear what is happening. I am always in favor of peace. »
