via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Mixed Doubles – Medal Ceremony – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – August 1, 2021. Gold medallist Andrey Rublev of the Russian Olympic Committee reacts on the podium REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Mixed Doubles – Medal Ceremony – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – August 1, 2021. Gold medallist Andrey Rublev of the Russian Olympic Committee reacts on the podium REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
Andrey Rublev won the gold medal with his compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 mixed doubles category. However, even after a week from the ceremony, the glory still feels unreal to him. Even so, he is now looking forward to building on it as he returns to the ATP Tour in Toronto.
Primarily, the 23-year-old reflected on winning the gold medal for his country at the Tokyo Olympics as it saw him realize a dream.
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Mixed Doubles – Gold medal match – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – August 1, 2021. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Andrey Rublev of the Russian Olympic Committee react after winning their gold medal match against Elena Vesnina and Aslan Karatsev of the Russian Olympic Committee REUTERS/Mike Segar
Unquestionably, the power of such a victory cannot fade away soon. But now, Rublev has turned his focus to doing well in the individual sport on the tennis circuit.
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These two @NastiaPav @AndreyRublev97 are GOLD MEDALISTS. 💕
Look what it means to them.
(sidenote: we love mixed doubles)pic.twitter.com/rm1YlbF4q2— . (@tennisgifsmedia) August 1, 2021
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Andrey Rublev on his mixed doubles gold medal and return to the ATP Tour
In an all-Russian final, Rublev and Pavlyuchenkova saved two match points to defeat Aslan Karatsev and Elena Vesnina 6-3, 6-7 (5), 13-11. Afterwards, everything became surreal for ATP World No.7.
“To win a gold medal for your country is something you can only dream about.” Rublev began. “Even when you’re a kid, you’re already reading about Olympic Games. Then when you are growing up, you start to understand what it is, then you start to think, maybe one day I hope I can compete?and to win a gold medal, it’s something that it’s unreal.”
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Mixed Doubles – Medal Ceremony – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – August 1, 2021. Gold medallists Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Andrey Rublev of the Russian Olympic Committee on the podium REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
Now that the gold medal is in, Rublev is back on the ATP Tour, competing at the National Bank Open (previously Rogers Cup). Moreover, he is yet to win his first ATP Masters 1000 event.
“I’m even more motivated,” Rublev added. “I’m looking forward to come back to individual sport. Since Wimbledon, I didn’t play ATP Tour.”
Lastly, the Russian revealed that since there’s a bubble in Toronto, he would again spend time with compatriots Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov, who he called “good friends on tour.”
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Who will Rublev play against in his ATP 1000 Toronto opener?
As the fourth seed in the tournament, Rublev received a bye to the second round. In this match, he will go against the Italian veteran player, Fabio Fognini, at the Stadium Court in Aviva Centre, York University.
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All in all, it would be interesting to see him compete individually again.?Do you think Rublev can win his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto?
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