Wimbledon 2023: Rublev on Russia ban;, Djokovic, Williams with best quotes on Day 1

Andrey Rublev insisted Monday that Wimbledon was wrong to ban him and his Russian compatriots from the 2022 tournament, claiming the only loser was the All England Club.

Wimbledon banned all Russian players in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Competitors from Belarus, a key ally of Russia, were also banished.

Twelve months on, the sanction has been lifted on condition that players from the two countries sign declarations of neutrality.

However, world number seven Rublev quickly reopened the wounds after becoming the first player into the second round of the men’s singles.

“We were talking, and I think we could find the solution,” he said.

“If we really want to help or do what is better for tennis and for the people, I think obviously there were better options – not just to ban.

“Because in the end, there was no difference. They did only worse to themselves.”

Some of the other noteworthy comments from All England Club on Monday:

“The holy grail, the temple of tennis.”

-- Novak Djokovic after winning his 40th consecutive match on Centre Court.

“I was literally killing it, then I got killed by the grass.”

-- Venus Williams, who suffered a nasty fall early in her defeat to Elina Svitolina.

“You do know I’m not from Russia, right?”

-- Victoria Azarenka, who is from Belarus, when asked by a reporter to explain what “Wimbledon means to people in Russia”.

“I think it’s a very thoughtful addition, because there are obvious situations that can be tricky and uncomfortable.”

-- Azarenka on the decision to allow female players to wear dark-coloured underwear to alleviate period anxiety.

“We’re already playing in Dubai, playing in Doha, so I don’t see the real issue to go there honestly.”

-- Casper Ruud has no issue with the ATP possibly staging tournaments in Saudi Arabia.

“I say ‘hi’ to them. Some people, they reply, some not. Like others, I just say we are here as tennis players.”

-- Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova on tensions with Ukraine players in the locker room.

“I remember walking into a bar last year. I went to show the guy my ID in Manchester. He said, You look about 35, you don’t need to show me your ID.”

-- Britain’s Liam Broady, who is 29.

“I’m playing the No. 4 in the world, second round of Wimbledon. I’ll play him back up in Stockport if I have to. I don’t mind.”

-- Broady on the possibility of facing fourth-ranked Casper Ruud on Centre Court or Court One.

“I feel like I’m just grateful, but I need to study. Sorry.”

-- Iga Swiatek when asked to comment on the battle for equal prize money at Wimbledon, which was won in 2007 when she was only six years old.

“I’m like, ‘Relax, she’s 12, she’s good, she’ll be fine’.”

-- Jessica Pegula on seeing pushy parents attempting to cajole their daughters into become better players.