The entire tennis community was left in utter disbelief as they witnessed Andrey Rublev’s controversial default from his Dubai semifinal match against Alexander Bublik. Andrey Rublev faced such harsh punishment for allegedly using an obscenity while screaming at a line judge. Rublev lost his cool at a line judge after Bublik won a point and took a 6-5 lead over Rublev in the third set.
This incident has split the entire tennis community into two some argue that VAR needs to be implemented as soon as possible and some argue against the notion claiming that VAR will hamper the “passion and drama” this sport produces. Former player Mark Petchey is among the few who still believe that shifting to complete electronic line-calling will change Tennis and affect its passion and drama.
“For all those that want all electronic line calling just remember that undiluted passion and drama writes headlines. There are news channels all over the world talking about Dubai that wouldn’t be today, if we had all electronic line calling. Nobody died also,” Petchey wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
For all those that want all electronic line calling just remember that undiluted passion and drama writes headlines.
There are news channels all over the world talking about Dubai that wouldn’t be today, if we had all electronic line calling.
Nobody died also
— Mark Petchey (@_markpetchey) March 1, 2024
Fans react to Petchey’s comments on the Andrey Rublev incident.
Petchey’s comments did not go well with the fans as they poured in with criticism aimed at Mark Petchey.
“No I don’t agree with this. Tennis shouldn’t want to gain publicity from such negative headlines. There are more than enough interesting stories that can gain interest,” a fan wrote.
All for publicity. It’s best if they play completely naked. In the mud, with music. The newspapers would explode,” a fan commented.
“I disagree Mark. That’s the equivalent of clickbait journalism. Not good or healthy for the sport generally or anyone playing or officiating,” a fan said.
“Okay cool. So at Acapulco, Casper Ruud should kick a ballboy in the shins to get some publicity for this underreported sport. As long as the ballboy doesn’t die. Am I doing this right?” a fan said on X.
Andrey Rublev certainly has many reasons to be furious with the proceedings, as he is set to lose his ranking points and prize money earned at the Dubai Tennis Championships as a punishment for misbehaving with a line judge.
