Italy’s Rome Masters: Rublev and Khachanov Withdraw, Prize money highlighted
The official site for the Association of Tennis Professionals confirms that Russia’s Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov have withdrawn from the Masters doubles event in Rome. The decision to pull out came after Khachanov sustained an adductor muscle injury in his thigh, ruling him out of further competition in the tournament.
In their opening match, the Russian duo faced a tough battle against Colombian pairing Robert Farah and Juan Sebastian Cabal. They managed to secure the victory in a dramatic three-set affair, with set scores of 4:6, 7:5, and a deciding tiebreak of 10:7. The win set the stage for a second-round clash scheduled against Britain’s Jamie Murray and New Zealand’s Michael Venus, a pairing known for their experience on big stages and clay-court versatility.
The Rome Masters boasts a substantial prize pool, exceeding 7.7 million euros. This level of prize money reflects the event’s high status on the ATP tour and its appeal to the top doubles teams looking to gather points, prize money, and momentum ahead of the Grand Slams later in the season.
On the individual rankings front, notable movements are recorded. In the latest ATP rankings update, Karen Khachanov has moved up to the 11th position, a bump from his previous standing, while Andrey Rublev climbs to the sixth spot. Novak Djokovic of Serbia continues to hold the top position, underscoring his sustained dominance on tour and his ongoing pursuit of additional titles this season.
Meanwhile in the women’s side of the sport, the WTA 1000 event in Rome saw a moment of tension as Latvian player Elena Ostapenko found herself locked in a controversial exchange with Russian competitor Daria Kasatkina during the fourth round. The dispute involved a call or decision by the match referee, Maria Chichak, and drew attention for the intensity seen on the court. The incident highlighted how pressure tournaments can elevate emotions and test referee decisions in high-stakes matches, even among seasoned pros who are accustomed to pressure-filled environments.
Looking ahead, fans can expect further drama as the Rome Masters continues to unfold. The doubles draw will advance with remaining teams battling for crucial ranking points, while the singles events promise to deliver more compelling tennis as players push for form, confidence, and qualification for the next major events on the calendar. The tournament’s atmosphere remains electric, with a clay surface that rewards tactical play, endurance, and the ability to tilt long rallies in the player’s favor. All eyes will be on how the affected doubles pair recovers from the setback and whether Khachanov can return to action in the near future to help his team defend their position and climb the ladder in the rankings again.
As the competition progresses, analysts will likely assess the impact of the withdrawal on the tournament’s doubles field, the strategic adjustments teams make, and the broader implications for seedings and potential upsets. The Rome Masters continues to be a key battleground for players seeking momentum on clay and a chance to pile up important points as the season moves toward the European clay-court swing and beyond. In the meantime, fans and commentators will reflect on an eventful week that showcased resilience, tactical brilliance, and the unpredictable nature of professional tennis on the world stage.