RAGING tennis star Andrey Rublev was DISQUALIFIED from his Dubai Open match after screaming at a line judge.
But he categorically denied swearing at the official as opponent, Alexander Bublik, backed up the Russian’s claim.
World No5 Rublev, 26, was trailing 6-5 in the third and final set when he exploded at a line judge for a call he disagreed with.
This led to ATP supervisor Roland Herfel coming down to the court, with the tennis boss accompanied by a Russian speaker.
The Russian individual claimed Rublev had sworn at the official in his native tongue.
The 10-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist denied using an expletive and insisted he was speaking in English.
He said: “I didn’t say ‘f******’. I swear to God. This is huge. I swear to God.”
Kazakh opponent Bublik, 26, supported Rublev’s argument as he said: “I’m OK to continue.”
But while the usual course of action for a first offence would have been to hand him a warning, umpire Miriam Bley opted to default Rublev.
This led to jeers from the Dubai crowd as Bublik was handed a 6-7 (4) 7-6 (5) 6-5 victory.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Reacting to the incident, one social media user said: “A shame this match ended this way.
“Inappropriate behaviour from Rublev, but to end in default on an accusation by someone who wasn’t involved in the exchange should not happen.”
While another added: “Although Rublev shouldn’t have acted like this to get defaulted because of someone’s opinion of what he said when he wasn’t even involved in the exchange is crazy.
“We have the technology, why the hell is there even line judges at this event? Makes zero sense.”
And a third responded: “That ruling is a joke. Completely unfair to how great of a match this was.”
Rublev reached the last eight of the opening Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open.
He was eliminated by eventual winner Jannik Sinner.
