Andrey Rublev is a player whose sense of humour off court, combined with his relentless intensity on court, helps him connect with fans around the world. A semi-finalist in Turin last year, Rublev is enjoying his tennis at the moment and is feeling more confident about his chances at the Nitto ATP Finals this coming week.
Rublev has had a stellar season so far and his consistency has been a point of strength for him. He reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. The last two ATP Masters 1000 events saw him reach the final of Shanghai and the semi-finals in Paris, where he lost a tight three-setter to Novak Djokovic. However, the highlight of his season was winning his first ATP Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo.
Rublev is currently at No.5 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. While he won Monte-Carlo in April, Rublev believes he’s playing at a higher level now. “Game-wise, I am playing much, much, much better now than in Monte-Carlo,” he said. “I enjoy the way I am playing and the matches I am winning the last couple of months much more.
“You cannot compare with the first part of the season, but because I won the Masters title there, it is the highlight. If I would win in Shanghai, for sure, Shanghai would be the highlight.”
Last week in Paris, Rublev pushed Djokovic to the brink in their semi-final. “He was suffocating me like a snake suffocates a frog,” the World No.1 said after the victory.
The Monte-Carlo champion was happy with his level. “I played well in that match. I was putting a lot of pressure. But Novak is a true champion and such a legend. He was stronger and he beat me in the most important moments that decided the match.”
On playing better when keeping his expectations low, Rublev was quick to emphasise, “I play better when I don’t think.”
Rublev has been drawn in the red group alongside Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev.
On playing Zverev, Rublev described him as “the player you don’t want to face. The way he serves, the way he plays. You need to be super focused, because if not, then he hits ace, ace, good return, and the match is done.”
Rublev has never faced Alcaraz in a professional match. He was asked to comment on what he sees in the Spaniard’s mentality. “He knows everything. He runs like crazy. He hit backhand, forehand, drop shots, volleys, serve, mental part.”
He added, “He fights. He’s a completely complete player at his young age. To have a chance against him you need to play at a really good level.”
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Rublev plays 2020 champion Medvedev in his opening round-robin match on Monday afternoon. He trails 2-6 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
When asked what it’s like to face Medvedev, Rublev elaborated with his typical wit: “It’s like, when someone kills you slowly you know (laughing). You feel it, that you are dying. Not if Alcaraz kills you first and sometimes you don’t notice.
“With Medvedev, he’s killing you slowly. Taking his time. Enjoying the moment and you feel like you are dying, little by little.”