Karen Khachanov, Andrey Rublev raise $100,000 for displaced Armenians in UCLA exhibition

Karen Khachanov is in the midst of a rebuilding season after injuries curtailed his excellent start to 2023, but the former world No. 8 has nonetheless found time to nurture causes close to his heart—with a little help from friends like Andrey Rublev and the one and only Andre Agassi.

Khachanov and Rublev, who won 2023’s ATP Fan Favorite Doubles Team, paired up for what the former called a “charity match” in partnership with Homenetmen Glendale Ararat to raise money for Artsakh refugees in between competing at the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open.

“I’ve said this many times that I have Armenian roots,” explains Khachanov during his Tennis Channel Live Desk Interview. “I was born in Russia but my family was half-Armenian and half-Russian, so that’s why, for me, it’s very important that I’m attached to this country.”

Khachanov has often expressed his support for Armenia and Artsakh, an ethnically Armenian region part of Azerbaijan, by writing messages on the camera lens after winning a match, and has previously partnered with Homenetmen Glendale Ararat, who hosted the charity exhibition featuring him and Rublev at the UCLA Tennis Center last week—ultimately raising $100,000 this time.

“We wanted to help to raise money,” said Khachanov. “We were happy with the number; it always can be better, can be more, but I hope that this is the beginning of something bigger and better.”

The match was preceded by a gala dinner attended by Khachanov and Agassi, who had the chance to talk tennis and gain a new perspective from an eight-time Grand Slam champion.

“I was surprised that he’s much more into tennis than I thought!” smiled the No. 15 seed. “He’s following everyone and he knows everything about everybody. It was really interesting to chat with him because from a champion like him, to hear some advice is always great for myself to take and consider some changes.”

Khachanov will play No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev for a spot in the Miami Open quarterfinals on Tuesday.