Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev says Wimbledon ban is 'illogical' and 'discriminatory'

By CNN Sport Staff

Updated 1028 GMT (1828 HKT) April 22, 2022

Andrey Rublev is the first Russian tennis player to speak out against the decision by Wimbledon organizers.

(CNN)Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev said that the decision made by Wimbledon organizersto ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing because of the war in Ukraine is «illogical» and amounts to «complete discrimination.»

The Belarusian Tennis Federation (BTF) also released a statement opposing the ban, saying that they will seek legal advice over the decision which will «only incite hatred and intolerance on the basis of nationality.»Rublev, after defeating Jiri Lehecka to advance to the quarterfinals of the Serbia Open in Belgrade on Thursday, told reporters in a post-match press conference that he and other players had a call with Wimbledon organizers on Wednesday in an attempt to find a solution.«To be honest, the reasons that they give, there is no meaning, there is no logic for what they propose,» Rublev said.He later added: «The things that happen now is complete discrimination of us.»Read MoreRublev, who wrote «No war please» on a camera during a match a few days after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, said it was proposed to Wimbledon to have «at least a chance to choose if we want to play or we don't want to play.»Rublev reached the fourth round of Wimbledon last year, his best performance in the tournament to date.«And if there is a statement that we need to sign and on top of that to give all the prize money to humanitarian help, to the families who are suffering, to the kids who suffer,» he continued, «I think that move at least will do something, at least a bit. And it will show that the England government is standing for the