Andrey Rublev, the current world No. 6 tennis star, recently shared a heartfelt message to his 12-year-old self in an ATP video. Reflecting on his journey and the challenges he has faced, Rublev emphasized the importance of finding happiness within oneself, regardless of external achievements.
“When you are Top 400 in the world, you’ll be happier than when you’re Top 10 in the world, having everything,” Rublev said, addressing his younger self. “What I’ve learned is success isn’t going to make you happy, only you can do that for yourself.”
Rublev’s message highlights the importance of self-awareness and listening to one’s inner voice. He advises his younger self to trust his instincts and make choices that align with his values. “You can’t avoid difficult moments, but if you’re happy with yourself, the difficult moments won’t affect you as much,” he said.
Rublev’s words resonate with his own experiences this season. Despite winning a Masters 1000 title in Madrid and reaching the final in Montreal, he has also faced setbacks and emotional outbursts. In March, he was defaulted in the semifinals in Dubai after an outburst at a line umpire.
In August, Rublev admitted to struggling with depression and burnout, which reached a boiling point at Roland Garros, where he had another self-destructive episode. “Mentally I was out of order,” he said. “I guess it was already a long moment of everything [building up] and I started to burn out.”
Rublev’s message to his younger self serves as a reminder that happiness and fulfillment come from within. While external success can be motivating, it is ultimately up to each individual to find joy and contentment in their own lives.
