Andrey Rublev didn't deny using some bad language during one of his US Open matches but suggested that players should not be sanctioned when they are swearing at themselves.
Although Rublev defeated home player Tristan Boyer 6-3 6-3 5-7 7-6 (4) in his second-round match at Flushing Meadows, he still got frustrated at times. Later, the US Open organizers slapped the world No. 15 with a $3,000 fine.
In his next match, Rublev defeated Coleman Wong in five sets before being ousted by Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets in the round-of-16. In his press, the 27-year-old was asked how he felt about the fine received for swearing earlier in the tournament.
Rublev: If I have bad words for myself, that's my decision and I shouldn't be charged
"It depends on the situation. When I am talking to myself in a bad way, it is my decision how I do it. In my opinion, you cannot charge for this. If you talk to the opponent, referee, or umpire with bad words, yes. When you do it towards someone or you are screaming on the court, then yes, obviously. But when you talk to yourself, it is your decision how you want to talk. For this, I don't think it should be a big punishment or anything like that. At the end of the day, it happens in all sports," the Russian tennis star explained.
However, this is not the biggest fine that Rublev received. If you can recall, the 17-time ATP champion received a major fine for his 2024 Dubai outburst – $36,400. While the Russian tennis star has done a lot of positive work on his mental health since then and avoided major outbursts, he is still prone to outbursts at times.
Meanwhile, by exiting the US Open in the round-of-16, Rublev capped off his disappointing Grand Slam year – he didn't make it past the last-16 stage in any of his four Major appearances.
