Andrey Rublev Disqualified from Dubai Championships for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Andrey Rublev has been disqualified from the Dubai Tennis Championships due to unsportsmanlike conduct. The Russian second seed shouted at a line judge after a disputed call in the third set of his semi-final with Alexander Bublik.

An ATP official informed by a Russian-speaking official reported that Rublev had sworn at the line judge in Russian. Despite Rublev’s denial of using Russian, he was defaulted by umpire Miriam Bley. The world number five trailing 6-5 in the final set will lose all prize money and ranking points for the week.

Fellow Russian Daria Kasatkina criticized the decision calling for video replays in tennis. Bublik awarded the win at 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-5 expressed disappointment at the outcome and wished Rublev a quick return to form.