Rublev, Tsonga voice player concerns over ATP Cup

DOHA: Andrey Rublev is 22 years of age and ranked a career-best No.22 in the world. The Russian, among the next generation's front runners, is delighted to be at the Qatar Exxonmobil Open, where he's seeded two, behind multiple Grand Slam champion Swiss Stan Wawrinka. But Rublev, who wears an unruly crop and exhibits great range on the court, isn't happy about not making the cut for the ongoing ATP Cup, a team championship being played in Australia.He called the situation ‘unfair'.
Ranked No.3 in Russia, a country with three players in the top-25 of the men's rankings, he trails No.5 Daniil Medvedev and No.17 Karen Khachanov.
"It's not easy with the ATP Cup, maybe they need to change something because it is not fair,” Rublev, who could play Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin in the second round here on Wednesday, said. "I'm not talking only about my position, but also about all guys, who are ranked 20-something in the world. In half of the countries (competing in the ATP Cup) I will be like No.1 and almost all other countries I will be No.2, but in my country too many players. In the end I cannot play because I'm not among the main players.”
Third-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is coming back from injury, having sat out for seven months in 2018, is the fourth-ranked Frenchman in the world at No.30. The 34-year-old echoed Rublev, saying it is an unfortunate situation. "It's our Tour, I wish I can be there for the ATP Cup. I hope the ATP will work to change this. It is unfair for some players."
Rublev added, "Guys with rankings of 900 and 1000 are No.2 and they are playing for the points. This is not fair even for a guy who is in the top-50. One guy wins a match and he makes much more money than one player who is just behind him (in the rankings)."