Andrey Rublev eyes long coaching partnership with idol and former World No.1 Marat Safin

Andrey Rublev has always been in touch with Marat Safin about how to put his emotions in check during intense matches.

Andrey Rublev eyes long coaching partnership with idol and former World No.1 Marat Safin

Marat Safin and Andrey Rublev (via X/The Tennis Letter)

Andrey Rublev added two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 Marat Safin to his coaching team ahead of the European Clay court swing. The Russian has struggled since claiming the Qatar Open in February. He now hopes his partnership with Safin will be enjoyable and will last long.

Rublev has struggled to keep his emotions in check at times during intense matches. That has led his outbursts to overshadow his game and performance on the court. The 27-year-old has been working behind the scenes to end that and after his triumph at the Qatar Open, he has been in direct conversation with his idol Safin for help.

The Russian has lost three consecutive matches since the Doha victory. He lost to Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of Indian Wells and to Zizou Bergs in his opening match at the Miami Open. That has seen him drop to World No.9. He officially hired Safin just a week ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters, as he aims to turn things around.

During his press conference at Monte Carlo, he was asked by reporters what Safin would bring differently to his game. Rublev revealed that all he is trying to do is to listen and heed Safin’s advice, while he hopes their partnership will be for a long time.

I am trying to listen to all his advice and be brave to try new things. I hope we work together for a long time, but it all depends on how he feels. I don’t know if he will enjoy it or suffer working with me. I am certain that if he sees that I am wasting time or not listening, he won’t waste time with me.

Andrey Rublev said via Monte Carlo Press

Rublev earned a first round bye at the Monte-Carlo Masters, so he will open his account against French legend Gael Monfils in the second round. They have met three times on the court with Rublev leading 2-1 in their head-to-head record. However, this will be their first meeting on clay.

Andrey Rublev hopes Marat Safin helps him deal with his emotional outburst

Andrey Rublev has been heavily criticized for his outburst on the court. The 27-year-old is known to smash his racket during matches. However, his new coach, Marat Safin, is no new to it. The 45-year-old broke over a dozen rackets during his career. Rublev is hoping to take a lesson from Safin’s struggle.

Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev (via Instagram)

He had his own struggles that he went through and I was always afraid to ask (about) those things, but inside I always wanted to. In the end, when I found out that he was also ready and he was looking maybe to work in tennis, it was like, ‘Okay, I have to at least try … I have to ask’.

Andrey Rublev said

Rublev’s emotional outburst has attracted worrying attention. Last year, he smashed his knee at Roland Garros and during the early round loss at The All England Club. At one time, he revealed that he was taking anti-depression tablets just to end the outburst and has been battling with his mental health.

Marat Safin’s history of emotional outbursts on the court

Marat Safin is one of the most popular legends known for his emotional outbursts and smashing of rackets. In fact, he’s estimated to have smashed 49 rackets in 1999 alone. During an interview in 2011, he revealed that he broke 1,055 rackets in his career.

Marat Safin
Marat Safin (via ATP)

The shocking estimation was self-evident at the 2007 Australian Open, where he was fined $2,000 for cussing at a referee. The former World No.1 had an emotional outburst during his third-round loss against Andy Roddick after finding out a small puddle of water remained on the court after a rain shower.

However, Safin did enjoy success on the court. He reached the top of the ATP rankings in 2000 after winning the US Open, defeating Pete Sampras in the final. He then won the 2006 Australian Open and helped Russia win the Davis Cup in 2002 and 2006. He became the first Russian tennis player to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.