“Optimistic” Andrey Rublev hopes to bounce back after dropping out of the Top 15 for the first time since January 2020

Andrey Rublev has lost 10 of his last 21 matches this season and is yet to reach the quarter-finals since the Qatar Open.

“Optimistic” Andrey Rublev hopes to bounce back after dropping out of the Top 15 for the first time since January 2020

Andrey Rublev (via X/Madrid Open)

Andrey Rublev remains optimistic that he can return to form this clay season after suffering a third-round exit at the Madrid Open. The 27-year-old did not win a single match in the competition and failed to defend his 1,000 points as defending champion, which will see him drop from No.9 to No.16 on the ATP rankings.

Rublev arrived at the Madrid Open knowing fully well that he might not be able to defend the Madrid Masters. In fact, he had not defended a single title in his career. He earned a first round win and was supposed to face Gael Monfils in the next, but the Frenchman withdrew from the competition due to illness, giving the Russian a walkover.

In his first match at the Madrid Open, he lost to Alexander Bublik in straight sets. The loss was the 17 tour-level champion’s 10th loss in his last 21 matches this season. Apart from his great run at the Qatar Open, where he claimed his only title of the year, the Russian has been very poor on the court.

After the loss, he was asked what was next for him as he continued to struggle on the court. He revealed that he’s optimistic and focused on improving his game despite things not working in his favor.

I try to be optimistic and focus on the things I need to improve. I don’t know what to say. I’m not getting good results right now, but I’m trying to focus on the process and hope that sooner or later it will work out. The same thing happened with Doha. I didn’t start well, but I focused on the process and ended up being champion.

Andrey Rublev said via Madrid Open Press

Rublev is one of the most experienced clay players in the men’s circuit. However, his lack of consistency has always been his major problem. He will now hope to bounce back at the Italian Open, which starts on the 7th of May.

Andrey Rublev focused on discipline and training as he looks for a way to bounce back

Andrey Rublev has won only two clay matches this season. He has failed to reach the quarter-finals of any tournament since triumphing at the Qatar Open. The Russian’s game has been poor and below par this season. But he’s bent on keeping the right attitude amidst the poor run of form.

Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev (Image via Instagram)

I have to focus on training, attitude, discipline and other aspects of this style . When all that is right, I will have good tennis and there will surely be a week when everything works.

Andrey Rublev said

Rublev will have to seek new means to get himself together. The former World No.5 has shown his talent on several occasions this season but sometimes lacks the necessary discipline in matches, which most times leads to his loss.

Andrey Rublev and Marat Safin’s partnership is yet to be successful

Andrey Rublev accepted he needed help to deal with his mental struggles. He added Marat Safin and Fernando Vicente to bring stability to his game and mind. Both coaches have worked on his mental health as he has not been seen smashing rackets in recent weeks. However, it seems as though the tennis side of coaching has yet to be worked on.

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

Rublev was on a run of three consecutive losses before he hired them, but now only holds a 2-3 record since their addition to his team. The Qatar champion would now take a two-week break ahead of the Italian Open. Perhaps, the coaches will help implement new skills into his game and get him to his best tennis level.

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