“Rafael Nadal will ‘die’ on the field, but he will continue to play,” Andrey Rublev likens Nadal’s fighting spirit to Federer’s image

“Rafael Nadal will ‘die’ on the field, but he will continue to play,” Andrey Rublev likens Nadal’s fighting spirit to Federer’s image

Rafael Nadal, Andrey Rublev and Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal, Andrey Rublev and Roger Federer

Andrey Rublev was one of the stand-out performers of the year. The Russian broke into the top ten rankings for the first time in his career after winning five ATP titles in the shortened 2020 season. Rublev also delivered consistent performances at Grandslams, after reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open and the French Open.

Andrey Rublev believes that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer boast of certain qualities that make them stand out from rest of the crowd. According to the Russian, Nadal is a player who never gives up and will continue fighting till the very end. Roger Federer won the ATP Fans’ Favorite Award for the 18th consecutive year. Rublev claimed that it was because of the Swiss’ image that he won the award every year.

“I never followed him but he (Roger Federer) has this status, it is his image,” Rublev said. “Just like Nadal is associated with someone who will always fight to the end, no matter what. He will ‘die’ on the field, but he will continue to play. That is, people already have their own feelings with each player,” he added.

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Andrey Rublev lists out the key traits of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic

Andrey Rublev

Andrey Rublev was named the ‘most improved ATP player of the year‘ after his incredible performances this year. His coach, Fernando Vicente also bagged the Coach of the Year Award. Rublev was asked to name his ideal tennis player but he refrained from doing so and instead he listed out the key traits of each of the Big Three players- Nadal, Federer and Djokovic.

“It depends on the criteria, you can take something from everyone,” Rublev said. “I would say Rafael Nadal’s mind, Roger Federer’s sense of timing and for Novak Djokovic, his vision of the game, his backhand and his elasticity,” the Russian continued.

Also Read: Andrey Rublev reveals that he is the worst among the Top 10 in ‘this regard’