Andrey Rublev defeated Max Purcell in straight sets in the opening round, marking the return of the Russian and Belarusian players to Wimbledon on Monday.
The Russian and Belarusian players were banned from participating at last year’s edition of the grass Major after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. In response to the ban, the ATP and WTA Tours decided to strip the Grand Slam of ranking points. While the war still continues, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club decided to reverse the ban this year.
Seventh-seeded Rublev, one of 17 Russian and Belarusian players in the men’s and women’s singles draws, beat Australian World No. 64 Purcell 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 33 minutes. In the second round, Rublev faces either French teenager Luca Van Assche or fellow Russian Aslan Karatsev.
This is Rublev’s fourth appearance at The Championships with his best result being a fourth-round finish in 2021.
World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev, the highest-ranked male Russian player, opens his campaign against local wildcard Arthur Fery on Tuesday.
As part of their return, players from Russia and Belarus are playing as neutrals and must sign a “waiver” pledging not to support Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime.
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Players are not allowed to receive state funding or have sponsorship from Russian or Belarusian companies.
“I feel really happy to be back, because in general I didn’t play much Wimbledon or I was injured or was pandemic or then they ban us,” Rublev told reporters.
“So, of course, really special and really happy to be back in London to play at one of the best tournaments and to get a win today was a nice moment.”
“If we really want to help or do what is better for tennis and for the people, I think obviously there were better options, “ said Rublev when asked about last year’s ban.
“Because in the end, there was no difference. They did only worse to themselves. For sure there were options for everyone. Now we are here and I’m really happy to be back and to compete.”
Belarusian former world number one Victoria Azarenka, the 19th seed, defeated Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 while 12th-seeded Russian Veronika Kudermetova won 7-6(4), 6-4 against Estonian Kaia Kanepi.
Kudermetova, when asked about her relationship with Ukrainian players in the locker room, said, “I say hi to them. I say hi. Some people, they reply; some not. Like others, I just say here we are just a tennis player. It’s like that.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
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