Andrey Rublev shut down a live TV interview during his US Open mixed doubles match with fellow Russian Mirra Andreeva, leaving commentator Sam Querrey to retreat after a brief and awkward exchange.
During a set break, Querrey approached the pair courtside at Flushing Meadows for ESPN and attempted to ask about their match against Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik. Querrey began, "Mirra, great comeback in set number two," before Rublev turned to him, shaking his head.
Querrey Shut Down Mid-Question
Visibly caught off guard, Querrey responded: "No? No questions? Sorry, sorry. Okay, good luck," before walking away. The camera then lingered on Andreeva, who appeared ready to answer when Rublev intervened, leaving her staring ahead awkwardly.
Andreeva has established herself as one of the brightest emerging talents in tennis following her French Open title win in June, and heads into the 2026 US Open as the fifth seed in the women's singles draw.
Mixed Doubles Exit
Despite the mixed doubles carrying relatively modest significance — the entire event wraps up before the main US Open draw commences on 30 August — Rublev was clearly determined to shield his playing partner from any possible distraction during their contest.
Rublev and Andreeva ultimately fell to the Czech pairing of Muchova and Mensik on the evening, 4-5, 5-3, 8-11, and were knocked out in the semi-finals. Rublev reportedly approached Querrey after the match, with the American commentator telling him: "Don't worry about it."
Singles Draws Ahead
Rublev heads into the US Open as the No. 23-ranked player in the men's draw and is set to face Croatian Marin Cilic in the first round, while Andreeva takes on Indonesian Janice Tjen.
The mixed doubles competition was ultimately claimed by Muchova and Mensik, who pocketed the £740,000 prize after overcoming Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli in the final. Other prominent pairings in the mixed doubles draw included Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams, Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic, and Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula.
On the whole, the event had more of an exhibition atmosphere, with most participants focused on advancing deep into the singles competition in the weeks ahead. The event did, nonetheless, signal Alcaraz's return to competitive tennis for the first time since April 2026, having finally recovered from a right wrist injury. The Spaniard is now the favourite to claim the men's singles title at the US Open in the absence of Jannik Sinner, who pulled out of the Grand Slam citing a knee injury.
