ATP pays points and prize money to Rublev

A few days after losing in the semi-finals of the Dubai Championships, world number five player Andrey Rublev was given his points and prize money back according to the ATP Tour's ruling.

ATP believes that deducting Rublev 's entire 200 points and $157,755 is too heavy a punishment from the Dubai Championships organizers. ATP still added points to Rublev, and reduced the fine to $36,400 for the Russian player's overreaction. The ATP's ruling came after Rublev appealed to the agency.

Rublev shouted at the line referee, in the match against Bublik in the semi-finals of the Dubai Championships on March 2. He was disqualified when the score was 6-7, 7-6, 6-5 in favor of Bublik. Photo: ATP

Rublev was disqualified from the semi-finals of the Dubai Championships on March 2, while going through a tense match with Alexander Bublik. After losing the game and leading 5-6 in the deciding third set, Rublev ran to the rope referee and shouted loudly. He believes that this referee mishandled a previous ball.

The tournament supervisor immediately went to the court with a Russian-speaking referee and this person believed that the world number five tennis player had cursed in his native language. Rublev argued, insisting he did not use vulgar language. The judges and referee then decided to disqualify Rublev, even though Bublik wanted the match to continue.

Many players spoke out against the penalty that Dubai Championships imposed on Rublev. "It's not fair to eliminate Rublev without ensuring that what the referee understands is correct. Taking away all points and prize money is even more controversial," commented Spanish tennis player Davidovich Fokina.

"Maybe tennis needs VAR technology. At least they have to review the video to determine what he said," said female tennis player Daria Kasatkina. Bublik said Rublev said some crazy things but not as bad as the referee understood.

Rublev's error was lighter than what Alexander Zverev did at the Mexican Open in 2022. The German tennis player then slammed his racket three times on the referee's chair, saying, "You idiot," in the men's doubles match. Unsportsmanlike behavior caused Zverev to be disqualified from competing in the men's singles event by the organizers. ATP then suspended Zverev's racket for eight weeks, a 12-month probation and a fine of $40,000.

Rublev and compatriot Daniil Medvedev flew to the US immediately after the incident at the Dubai Championships. He enters this week's BNP Paribas Open still maintaining his score and world number five position. Rublev will play Andy Murray or a qualifying player in his Masters 1000 opener at Indian Wells. He could meet Stefanos Tsitsipas in round four, then Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals.