World No.6 Rublev received widespread support last year for his spontaneous move to post an anti-war message on a TV camera.

But he lamented the flow-on effect from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and how it “becomes a fight” between tennis bodies.

“[It’s like] inside the tennis we’re starting to do something wrong, like fighting between the ATP, ITF [and other bodies] because of those things,” Rublev said.

“Because there was no point ... and I think it shouldn’t be this way.

“There is other ways that can help the situation.”

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A six-time grand slam quarter-finalist – including reaching the final eight in Melbourne two years ago – Rublev remains proud of his decision to write “No War Please” on a camera at a Dubai tournament last February.

“It was just in the moment, because they gave me a marker,” Rublev said.

“Everything [had] started [with the war] and everybody was in a really bad mood and everybody was like depressive because was just beginning, first days.

“It was like a shocking news so, I don’t know, it comes natural.”

Teams from Russia and Belarus were banned from the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup teams tournaments, as well as the new United Cup, a mixed-gender event run by Tennis Australia and which launched the summer.

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While Russian and Belarusian players are welcome to play the Australian Open and other majors except Wimbledon, they are stopped from overtly representing their nations. Furthermore, their profiles on the ATP and WTA websites don’t specify their nationality.

On court, men’s world top 10 fixture Rublev maintains that “time will show” whether a step-up into playing major semi-finals or better will happen in 2023.

Regardless, his nightmare draw against major winner and former Australian Open finalist Dominic Thiem, a tournament wildcard, in the first round was front of mind.

“I mean hopefully I’m ready,” Rublev said.

“Here I don’t know. Here we don’t even start the tournament and I have already since the beginning a really tough match, so I’m not even thinking that far.

“I have a first round that is very tough and I just try to focus on that.”

Rublev has also expanded his off-court interests in the past year by launching the “Rublo” sportswear clothing label.

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