Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev has left fans split after brutally refusing to take part in a mid-match TV interview with ESPN at the US Open.

TV broadcasters are often searching for new ways to innovate their coverage, and this year's mixed doubles tournament at Flushing Meadows included brief chats with the players during their breaks in play.

That is, unless you're Rublev, who caused an awkward moment with American player-turned-analyst Sam Querrey on Wednesday night.

In a clip which has now gone viral on social media, Querrey can be seen approaching Rublev and his mixed doubles partner Mirra Andreeva midway through their eventual semifinal loss to Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik. 

He addresses a question to Andreeva from behind the chair, while Rublev can be seen shaking his head before turning to face Querrey head on.

Taken aback, Querrey can be heard responding: 'No questions? Sorry, sorry. Okay, good luck.'

He then backs away from the superstar tennis pair, giving the camera a side glance as he does so, while Andreeva herself also looks on awkwardly at the exchange.

On social media, Rublev's actions left fans divided, with some claiming he was well within his rights to refuse the interview.

One wrote: 'I can understand Rublev here. During the match the emotions are too high. Heck [I] don't even like to talk between games when I'm playing [a] match with my friends. As I said before, @usopen made a mockery of mixed doubles. It's sad.'

Another added: 'They are trying to turn tennis into a circus. Rublev is a serious player on court. He's not a circus clown. Other people will criticise him for this but he should be given credit for his actions here.'

Others, though, slammed the Russian player for his abrupt response, with one claiming: 'It's a f***ing exhibition, what a weirdo.'

Multiple reports claimed that Rublev sought out Querrey after the match to apologize, to which the American could be overheard saying: 'Don't worry about it.' 

It is unclear whether the players have been mandated to take part in mid-match interviews, but there is no official ruling on the matter in the ITF's Grand Slam rulebook.

Last year, ESPN vice president of production Linda Schultz opened up on the initiative in an interview with The Athletic.

'In partnership with the USTA and the players, this is great access and something that we have been looking forward to for many years,' she said. 

It was agreed that the interviews would only take place at the end of a set, and limited to one or two questions to ensure competition was not hindered.

Schultz also made a point of claiming that ESPN would slowly build up the length of interviews, so 'everyone - the competition, the officials, the players, the broadcast teams - can get comfortable and be on the same page.'