‘Rafael Nadal is the GOAT on clay’: Andrey Rublev

‘Rafael Nadal is the GOAT on clay’: Andrey Rublev

Rafael Nadal and Andrey Rublev

Andrey Rublev faced Rafael Nadal in the Quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Open. A match that was marred by unforced errors from Nadal and the breakdown of the Nadal serve, could have been a distraction for Rublev. But, Rublev was a focused man. He didn’t lose sight of the beckoning Semi-final berth. He was in form, confident and wanted more. In the end Rublev beat Nadal in three sets, 6-2 4-6 6-2, and reached his fifth straight Semi-finals on the tour. 

Ironically, growing up Rublev used to look up to Nadal as an idol. Rublev said that all the time, he used to copy Nadal, wear the same clothes etc. He was fond of Nadal from the very beginning and thinks Nadal is a legend.  

Andrey Rublev said, “Nadal was my idol. I was buying his clothes, all the new outfits. I was trying to copy him. I liked him straight away. He is a legend.”

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Rafael Nadal the best ever on clay 

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal

After the match Rublev was all praise for Rafael Nadal. Rublev called Nadal the greatest of all time of tennis on clay and said that beating a player of the class of Nadal on clay has to be one of his best victories on the tennis court. He thinks it’s the same as beating Roger Federer, it has to be one of your best victories.

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Rublev also sympathized with Nadal, and said there is so much pressure on Nadal when he is playing on clay. He said even if Nadal is playing someone like Novak Djokovic, if the contest is on clay then Nadal will be expected to win it. 

Andrey Rublev said, “Nadal is the GOAT on clay, so from this point of view it’s one of my best victories ever. A bit like if you defeat Roger Federer. Rafa handles so much pressure, people expect him to win on clay even when he faces Djokovic.”

Also Read: ‘It was a day to forget’: Rafael Nadal