No 7 seed says there was ‘better options’ than last year’s move, while Azarenka praises ‘a thoughtful addition’ to the rules
Russian players are back at Wimbledon after the All England Club stood alone in banning them from competition in 2022, achieved nothing much for its efforts, and this year backed down. On day one of the tournament there was not much enthusiasm on anyone’s part to engage with the issue, but Andrey Rublev, the men’s No 7 seed, did offer these thoughts. The Russian said: “I think obviously there was better options. Not just to ban. Because in the end, there was no difference. [Wimbledon] did only worse to themselves.” Rublev beat the Australian Max Purcell in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4, to progress to the second round. Meanwhile, Ukraine remains occupied by Russian forces for a 495th day.