Andrey Rublev has made the surprise claim that Russian compatriot Daniil Medvedev used to be invited to play on the Laver Cup closing month, earlier than the British executive hinted that they most probably would not permit it.
Rublev and Medvedev each performed for Team Europe on the 2021 Laver Cup in Boston, however have been conspicuously absent from the 2022 version in London.
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Team Europe as a substitute featured Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Casper Ruud, Matteo Berrettini and Cameron Norrie.
The tournament served as Federer’s farewell from skilled tennis, with the Swiss legend bowing out of the game after a doubles fit along Nadal.
In a staggering new twist this week, Rublev has published that Medvedev used to be in fact invited to play for Team Europe – however the British executive ‘hinted’ that it would not be allowed.
Players from Russia and Belarus have been infamously banned from Wimbledon this 12 months because of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, with Rublev revealing the similar problems got here up regarding the Laver Cup.
When requested if he used to be invited to play, Rublev informed Russian newsletter Championat: “Not me. I know that ‘Dana’ (Medvedev) – yes.
“But the British executive is there, they usually hinted that it most probably gained’t paintings.”
Wimbledon’s decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus proved highly divisive, with the ATP and WTA stripping the grass-court grand slam of rankings points as a result.
That meant the event was effectively a high-profile exhibition, with the likes of Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios suffering as a result.
Djokovic lost 2000 rankings points despite winning the title, sliding down to World No.7 in the aftermath.
The 21-time grand slam champion lost all 2000 points he earned by winning the title at the All England Club in 2021.
Kyrgios also missed out on 1250 rankings points that he would have earned for making the final and is down at World No.20 instead of a potential spot in the top 10.
Women’s champion Elena Rybakina also missed out on 2000 points and is still down at World No.26.
Novak Djokovic in fine form after missing US Open
Meanwhile, Djokovic has continued his impressive form since his return to the ATP tour after missing the entire American hard-court swing due to his refusal to get vaccinated.
Djokovic dropped just two games to breeze into the last 16 at the Astana Open on Wednesday with a comprehensive victory over Cristian Garin.
The 35-year-old needed just 62 minutes to dispense with his Chilean opponent 6-1 6-1, dropping only six points on his serve in the match.
“From the begin to the top, (it used to be) a perfect efficiency,” Djokovic said afterwards.
“Playing in a brand new match, other prerequisites, the primary fit is rarely simple.
“You are looking to see how you are going to adapt, but I did it perfectly, really, played as well as I can.
“I simply made him paintings and used each alternative that used to be introduced to me.”
Djokovic won the Tel Aviv Open last week in his first tournament since the Laver Cup and first ATP event since Wimbledon.
He missed the US Open in September due to America’s requirement for overseas travellers to show proof of vaccination.
with AAP
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