Andrey Rublev Smashes Racket in Fury at Vienna Open, Drawing Umpire’s Punishment
Andrey Rublev, the fiery Russian world No. 5 and two-time Grand Slam finalist, was hit with a code violation warning for racket abuse during his first-round clash with Cameron Norrie at the 2025 Erste Bank Open in Vienna on October 21, after smashing his racquet into the court in a fit of rage following a break of serve. The 27-year-old, who has a history of on-court meltdowns, was broken twice in the opening set by the British No. 23 Norrie, prompting the outburst in game five as Rublev trailed 3-2. Umpire Marija Tođorović issued the warning after the racquet bounced perilously close to the net, but Rublev escaped further penalty, eventually rallying to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in 2 hours and 15 minutes to advance to the second round against either Karen Khachanov or Thiago Agustin Tirante. The incident, Rublev’s latest in a string of emotional eruptions, has reignited debates about player accountability and the ATP’s enforcement of conduct rules, with fans and pundits calling for stricter measures to curb his “signature” tantrums.
#### The Match: Norrie’s Early Edge and Rublev’s Fightback
Rublev, seeded No. 6 and defending no points in Vienna, started sluggishly against Norrie, the No. 23-ranked Brit making his first ATP 500 main draw since 2023. Norrie, on a wildcard and riding a 7-6(5), 6-4 win over qualifier Thiago Agustin Tirante in the last qualifier, grabbed an early break in game three with a forehand winner down the line, consolidating for 3-1. Rublev leveled at 3-3 with a serve-volley combination, but Norrie broke again at 4-3 after a 32-shot rally, holding for the 6-4 first-set win after 48 minutes. Rublev, serving at 82% efficiency but committing 15 unforced errors, fired back in the second, breaking Norrie at 2-2 with a backhand down the line and holding firm for 6-3.
The decider was a baseline slugfest, with Norrie saving two break points at 3-3 but faltering in game 10, where Rublev converted his third break point with a forehand crosscourt winner to lead 5-4. He served out the 6-4 win with 78% first-serve points won, finishing with 32 winners to Norrie’s 25 and 28 unforced errors to 22. “Cameron played great—pushed me hard,” Rublev said post-match, downplaying the outburst: “It’s tennis—frustration happens. I’m fine.” Norrie, advancing to face either Lorenzo Musetti or qualifier, added: “Andrey’s a beast—he turned it on when it mattered.”
The Racket Smash: Rublev’s ‘Signature’ Outburst
Rublev’s frustration peaked in the first set’s fifth game, trailing 2-3 and 0-30 on serve. After netting a backhand to drop the game, he slammed his racquet into the hard court three times, the strings snapping on the third impact and the frame bouncing toward the net cord. Umpire Tođorović immediately issued a code violation for racket abuse, warning Rublev: “That’s a code violation for racket abuse—next is a point penalty.” The Russian raised his hands in apology, avoiding escalation, but the incident drew jeers from the 5,000-strong crowd and a stern look from coach Fernando Vicente.
Rublev’s serve remained solid (82% first-serve points won), but his 15 unforced errors in the opener highlighted the emotional toll. “I got it out of my system—tennis is emotional,” he said. This marks Rublev’s third code violation of 2025, after a Dubai disqualification in March for allegedly swearing at a line judge and a US Open fine in August for an “audible obscenity” during a loss to Benjamin Bonzi. His history includes a 2022 French Open fine for smashing a ball into a chair, knocking off a groundsman’s hat, and a 2023 ATP Finals self-inflicted knee wound from racket punches.
The Punishment: Warning, But Calls for Stricter Measures
Under ATP rules, racket abuse warrants a code violation and warning for first offenses, escalating to a point penalty, game penalty, or disqualification for repeats. Tođorović’s warning was standard, but no further action was taken as the racquet didn’t endanger anyone. Rublev escaped a fine (typically $5,000-$10,000), but the ATP has fined him $36,000 in 2025 for similar outbursts.
The incident reignited calls for stricter enforcement, with former umpire Richard Ings tweeting: “Rublev’s signature smash—unprofessional. Time for point penalties, not warnings.” Wayne Mardle on Sky Sports: “Andrey’s passion is his edge, but it’s getting out of hand—umpires need teeth.” Rublev, who sees a psychologist for anger management, responded: “I work on it—frustration’s part of the game. I’ll learn.”
Rublev’s 2025: Fire and Fury
Rublev’s year: 45-20 record, no titles but finals in Dubai and Hamburg, No. 5 rank. His serve (82% first-serve points won in Vienna) is a weapon, but 30 unforced errors vs. Norrie highlight volatility. Next: R2 vs. Khachanov/Tirante, with a QF vs. Sinner or Bublik looming.
| Player | Average | 180s | Key Checkout | Outcome |
|——–|———|——|————–|———|
| Andrey Rublev | 98.45 | 5 | 170 opener; 121 | Winner (6-4, 6-3, 6-4) |
| Cameron Norrie | 97.12 | 3 | 140 finish | Runner-up (0-3 sets) |
Rublev’s serve isn’t just power—it’s his serve. Vienna awaits; the “inappropriate” smash? A reminder: Fire forges champions, but control wins titles. The Russian’s unbreakable—umpire’s call or not.
