Andrey Rublev’s recent victory at the Madrid Open marked a significant turning point in his career, as he overcame a string of losses and physical ailments to claim his second ATP Masters 1000 title. However, the Russian star acknowledges that maintaining the mental composure necessary to consistently perform at his best remains a work in progress.
In an interview on the Tennis Insider Club podcast, Rublev discussed the challenges of managing his emotions on the court. He explained that his aggressive playing style requires intense focus and energy, which can be difficult to sustain when he feels mentally drained.
“When I feel like today is not my day, then I’m getting too tight and I start to push the ball,” Rublev said. “There is no middle. I start to play too passive sometimes without hitting at all.”
Rublev’s struggles with emotional regulation have been evident in his recent performances. After his Madrid triumph, he lost four of his next five matches, including a disappointing first-round exit in Barcelona. However, he believes that his mental fortitude is not the primary obstacle to his success.
“I wouldn’t say mental (is my biggest challenge) but to put emotions in the right way,” Rublev explained. “Because the mental part? I would say I don’t give up, I try to fight, it doesn’t matter who I play.”
Rublev’s determination was on full display in Madrid, where he battled through physical discomfort and illness to reach the final. He credits the support of the medical staff in Madrid for helping him overcome these challenges.
“I’m grateful to the doctors in Madrid,” Rublev said. “They helped me a lot. I had a problem with my toe, and then I had a problem with my throat. They helped me to recover and to play.”
As Rublev prepares for the upcoming Internazionali BNL d’Italia, he remains focused on finding the right balance between his emotions and his performance. He believes that harnessing his emotions in a positive way will allow him to reach even greater heights in the sport.
“Those little moments when I was putting them in the right direction, it was amazing,” Rublev said. “You feel like you’re just playing amazing and everything is working.”
