Andrei Rublev was disqualified from the Dubai Tennis Championships on Friday, in a surreal scene in which he was accused of yelling profanities in Russian at officials, which he denies.
Rublev, ranked No. 5 in the world, lost 6-5 in the decisive third set to Alexander Bublik in the semifinals of the tournament, confronting the linesman during a changeover and berating him for a ball that Bublik believed. I was launching it.
Rublev was involved in an altercation with two officials, one of whom spoke Russian.
One Russian speaker told the other that Rublev had said “Fucking King” in his native language during his rant, but Rublev insisted this was not true.
“I didn’t say shit. What do you mean, King?” Rublev asked tentatively in English.
“This is huge. [misunderstanding]. I swear to God. I didn’t say that! ”
When the referee disqualified Rublev, Bublik was confused.
“You can continue!” Bublik protested, trying to ask Rublev what happened.
Rublev won the first set in a tiebreak, and Bublik won the second set in a tiebreak as well.
After being disqualified, Rublev began to pack up his equipment in disgust as the crowd booed loudly, saying they would not be able to see the thrilling climax of the match.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that,” said a TV announcer, to which his broadcast partner agreed: “I’m shocked.”
Bublik will face the winner of the other semifinal matchup between Daniil Medvedev and Hugo Humbert.
