“It’s the same thing as with Nadal!” Furious Rublev argues with umpire

Andrey Rublev had a rowdy disagreement with an umpire during his match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

A shot from the Spaniard was called out when he was 3-4 down in the first set, which he challenged straight away – but then chaos reigned when it was clarified that the ball had actually been called in, meaning he withdrew the challenge, and the umpire awarded him the point.

That infuriated Rublev, who told umpire Adel Nour that his return had been affected by hearing the call.

“We don’t have a review, we have to play,” Nour replied to Rublev’s disgust.

That was when Rublev mentioned Nadal’s spat with umpire Fergus Murphy on Saturday. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had stopped play when he thought a ball was out, but failed to indicate that he wanted to challenge.

“It’s the same thing like with Rafa happened yesterday, exactly the same. Now I start to think that we need only machines on court instead of referees. I respect, I know that I bring the ball out. I won’t say nothing. But he called it before I [made my shot].”

Nour explained in return that he disagreed with Rublev’s interpretation: “But this is what I’m trying to tell you. For me, the call came after you hit the ball. That’s why it did not affect you, I have to judge.”

It made no real difference to Rublev in the end, who won the match 7-6 (10), 6-4.

Afterwards, he spoke to journalists and explained: “I understand Alejandro and I feel sorry, all the matches we play, there is this drama!”

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