Rublev Not Happy with Fine for Self-Talk

Andrey Rublev isn’t thrilled about being told how to communicate with himself during matches.

The Russian tennis player, currently ranked No. 15 in the world, received a $3,000 fine for using inappropriate language in a second-round match at the US Open this week. Before advancing to the next round, he shared his thoughts about whether such fines are fair in the sport.

“It really depends. It depends on the context. When I’m talking to myself, that’s my choice,” Rublev remarked. “Honestly, I don’t think that should be regulated. If you’re directing bad language at a judge, well, that’s different. But when you’re just speaking to yourself, that feels more personal.”

He added, “In all sports, it’s pretty normal. It doesn’t matter which sport you’re playing; in those high-pressure moments, emotions run high. It’s part of life. When things get tense, people react, just like anyone else.”

Rublev’s penalty aligns with prior fines issued to his friend Danil Medvedev, who faced a hefty $42,500 fine for his outburst during a first-round loss, which included an altercation with a photographer.

Interestingly, Medvedev, who is also the godfather to Rublev’s children, expressed his support for Rublev. “If he wants to change anything, he knows he has friends and family to lean on. But at the end of the day, it’s his life, and he has to make his own decisions.”

Rublev, who’s been open about his mental health challenges, has confronted his own share of on-court meltdowns before. For instance, during the 2022 Roland Garros, he spiked a ball that hit a courtside chair, causing a nearby ball person to lose their hat. That incident resulted in an $8,000 fine.

In another instance, last year at Wimbledon, he repeatedly struck his racket against himself out of frustration, causing injury. As for his next match, Rublev is set to face Felix Auger-Aliassime on Monday, following up on the upset of Alexander Zverev on Saturday night.