Coach Marat Safin Reveals What’s Stopping Andrey Rublev from Reaching Full Potential: “He Lacks Belief in Himself”

Andrey Rublev played his first final under coach Marat Safin in last year’s Hamburg European Open, which he lost to Italy’s Flavio Cobolli. Rublev reached another final, this time in this year’s Barcelona Open, but still he couldn’t end his title drought as Arthur Fils defeated him.

The last time Rublev clinched a title was at the 2025 Qatar Open by defeating Jack Draper. Rublev was last seen in action in the recently concluded Halle Open, where he suffered an opening-round exit, losing to Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.

Safin, the winner of two Grand Slam singles titles, joined Rublev’s team at the start of the clay-court season last year. During his appearance on a podcast, Safin explained what’s stopped his protege from reaching his full potential.

He has to change the way he thinks. The way you see tennis is the way you see life. We’re not talking about improving the forehand, the backhand, or changing technical matters. It doesn’t work like that. We enter a psychological terrain, much subtler. That’s where the details that make the difference lie.

Marat Safin said (H/T: Punto de Break)

Rublev, known for his emotional outbursts, has often made headlines for hurting himself with rackets when things don’t go well. In an interview, he credited his compatriot for helping him deal with severe mental health problems.

Andrey lacks belief in himself… He needs to have confidence in what depends on him… You’re either a victim or a creator. There’s no third option.

Marat Safin added

Safin also explained why Rublev needed a different voice. According to Safin, Rublev was no longer listening to Fernando Vicente as a coach and more like an older brother. And that is why Rublev understood that the arrival of a different figure could be beneficial for him.

Rublev will next be competing at Wimbledon, the main draw of which starts on June 29. The 28-year-old is a one-time quarterfinalist at Wimbledon, reaching the stage in 2023. Last year, he suffered a fourth-round exit.

Marat Safin reveals becoming No.1 at 20 left him feeling empty

Marat Safin reached the No.1 ranking for the first time in November 2000, when he was 20. At that time, it made him the youngest man in the Open Era to reach that spot. That year, he clinched seven singles titles, including his career’s first Grand Slam title by defeating Pete Sampras. But the No.1 ranking created a void in him.

I fell into depression after becoming number one. To be clear, at 20 years old, they told me: ‘There you are, world number one.’ It happened in Uzbekistan, I left alone, and you know… Is that it? All that for this? I felt empty, an absolute emptiness. So, what to do? What next? And why the hell do I need all this?

Marat Safin said (H/T: Tennis Temple)

Safin spent just nine weeks at the top of the rankings table. After the 2000 season, he reached the top spot in January, 2001. His final stint ended in April the same year.

Okay, you played, you proved everything you needed to, you won the US Open, you became number one. That’s it. And then, you’re 20 years old, and what’s next? It was really difficult. I asked myself: ‘why do I play?’

Marat Safin added

Safin, after losing the 2002 Australian Open final to Thomas Johansson and the 2004 Australian Open final to Roger Federer, beat Lleyton Hewitt in the final of the same tournament the following season. Safin called time on his career in 2009 at the age of just 29.

Also read: Andy Murray Reveals If Serena Williams’ Comeback Tempted Him to Make Retirement U-Turn