Everything is relative, Rublev brushes off Musetti critique

Russia’s Andrey Rublev has responded to Lorenzo Musetti’s comments where he called his participation in the Moselle Open unfair. The world number nine is currently in Turin, Italy where he is participating in the ATP Finals.

The last major event in the men’s tennis calendar is currently underway, where the top eight players are participating to secure the ultimate prize. Rublev’s participation became certain after the withdrawal of the former world number one Novak Djokovic. The Serbia’s legendary tennis star was forced to withdraw from the competition because of a fitness concern.

Italy’s Musetti has recently criticised Rublev for participating in the Moselle Open. The Moscow-born played in the event and defeated the Italian in the round of 16 but decided to withdraw from the competition just before the start of the quarterfinal after it was confirmed that he cemented his spot in the ATP Finals. Musetti was recently quoted in a report where he criticised Rublev and stated that players should only participate in the competition if they want to go all the way and lift it; otherwise, they are occupying the place of someone who would take part in the event knowing a lot more is at stake.

Rublev has now responded to the criticism and stated that his decision to withdraw from the competition was because of Djokovic’s withdrawal. "I understand his emotions, it was probably badly on my part,” he said. “Everything is relative. I came to this tournament to get to the Finals. He understood it, the tournament organizers started that Novak would withdraw, Ruud, de Minaur and I were waiting for his decision All the tournaments and players knew about it. If he had withdrawn earlier, no one would have played this tournament. But Novak withdrew on the day of my match. I decided to play because the spectators bought tickets. I wanted to somehow compensate for my situation with Turin. I am sure that if Sonego were in my place, he would have done the same."