Andrey Rublev shades Barcelona, praises Belgrade organization & Novak Djokovic family
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Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev said he didn’t have a great experience from Barcelona last year so choosing Belgrade over Barcelona was an easy choice. Last year, Rublev reached the Barcelona quarterfinal before losing to Jannik Sinner.
There was something that happened in Barcelona that didn’t sit well with Rublev so he picked Belgrade because he expected a very warm reception by the Belgrade organizers. In Barcelona, former world No. 3 David Ferrer serves as the tournament director.
In Belgrade, Novak Djokovic’s brother Djordje is the tournament director. Rublev said the Djokovic family appreciates him and he expected to be received very well in Belgrade. “Last year, the organizers of the tournament in Barcelona behaved ugly.
When I began to ask questions, I was told that this year everything would change. But it got even worse. You need to know your worth, you can’t allow yourself to be treated like that,” Rublev said, as quoted on Sport-Express.
“Plus, I knew that the Djokovic family, on the contrary, appreciates me. He will help to approach the tournament in excellent shape, provide everything you need. So the choice was obvious.”
Rublev won Belgrade after beating Djokovic
Rublev delivered a big performance in the Belgrade final to upset home favorite Djokovic 6-2 6-7 (4) 6-0.
“It is big to play against you and share the court for the second time,” Rublev said to Djokovic during the trophy ceremony. “I hope we have more battles. I feel so great here, it is a very nice city. It feels really special.
I want to say a big thanks to all the spectators for supporting all the players all week. To see full crowds again is special for all of us”. Even though Rublev wasn’t a home player, he received a strong support in Belgrade.
After the final, Djokovic expressed his hope to see Rublev again in Belgrade. “Belgrade and Serbia love you. Andrei, please come back to defend your title,” Djokovic told Rublev during the…
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Source : tennisworldusa
