WATCH: Andrey Rublev DEFAULTED for swearing and screaming at a line judge during his semis against Alexander Bublik at Dubai

The Russian was defaulted from the match in the third set after a heated meltdown against a line judge at the Dubai Championships.

WATCH: Andrey Rublev DEFAULTED for swearing and screaming at a line judge during his semis against Alexander Bublik at Dubai

Andrey Rublev defaulted from the 2024 Dubai Championships (Images via IMAGO)

In a shocking incident at the 2024 Dubai Championships, last year’s runner-up Andrey Rublev has been defaulted from the competition. The Russian was playing in the semi-finals against Alexander Bublik, fighting for a place in this year’s finals. 

The first two sets had been split between the two men as both went into the tiebreaker. With tempers running high in all the games to play for the third set, the incident occurred in the 11th game of the third set. 

YouTube video

With the third set tied at 5-5, the Kazakh was on the serve. A hold at this point would have transferred all pressure on the Russian. Serving for the game, Bublik fired a rapid ace right in the center. The Russian returned it with a forehand as the two started a rally of some powerful shots.

FS Video

One of the returns by Bublik looked to be landing outside the baseline, as per the second seed. He, however, continued playing before hitting a mistimed shot that landed outside the baseline in Bublik’s part of the court. As a result, the chair umpire gave the point and the game to the seventh seed.

Rublev was furious at the line umpire for not calling the shot by the Kazakh. In a fierce meltdown, he screamed for nearly 8–10 seconds, shouting in his face and signaling with his hands as well. As a result of his misdemeanor, the Russian defaulted on the tie after a heated argument with the officials. 

Andrey Rublev is likely to receive a huge fine and loss of points

After Rublev had moved to his bench, one of the officials came and confronted him about his actions. One of the officials who understood Russian accused the second seed of swearing at the line judge over his call. He reported the incident to the chair umpire, who called on the tournament supervisor. 

Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev defaulted from the 2024 Dubai Championships (Image via IMAGO)

The two men immediately confronted Rublev, claiming the swearing was confirmed by one of the officials. After an argument between them where the Russian tried his best to explain that he didn’t swear, the supervisor wasn’t convinced. He informed me of the decision to default on World No. 5. 

The verdict was communicated to Bublik immediately, who waited for the proceedings to kick off at the baseline. As Rublev hung his head in disappointment, the Kazakh was equally surprised, but the supervisor remained adamant about defaulting on Rublev. 

The incident was quite similar to what happened with Novak Djokovic at the US Open in 2020. The Nole had unintentionally hit the ball at a chair umpire’s neck. As a result of the reaction of the elderly umpire, the Serb was defaulted from the Grand Slam event right away.

With Rublev having a similar fate, one can expect the Russian to be stripped of his prize money for this week and ranking points, an action that was taken against Djokovic as well for his actions in New York.

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