With the race to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals more intense than ever, emotions are bound to overflow. Ask Andrey Rublev, who is no stranger to such situations. The Russian star lies on the brink of qualifying for the year-ending championships in Turin, lying in the eighth spot. However, his anger issues took center stage during his tournament opener at the Paris Masters.

Rublev was up against Francisco Cerundolo in the round of 32 clash in Paris. Despite giving his all, Rublev lost some crucial points in the tiebreakers to eventually bow out of the tournament. However, it wasn’t without drama, as Rublev lost his cool in the middle of the match. What was surprising was that he hit his knee with his racket so hard that it left a bruise on his leg. Additionally, the cameras also spotted blood rolling down his leg.

The incident took place in the second set after Rublev lost a tight second game on his serve. The Russian star was unable to take advantage of the early break and Cerundolo was able to break back quickly. Rublev was already reeling from losing the first set in the tiebreaker. With emotions going out of hand, he hit his knee continuously with his racket. The impact was so hard that it left his knee bloodied and Rublev bowed down as he felt the pain.

Rublev has been no stranger to such incidents in the past. During the French Open earlier this year, fiery scenes emerged during his second-round clash against Matteo Arnaldi. Rublev lost his cool, smashed his racket on the court, and even kicked the bench. Subsequently, he was criticized on social media for unprofessional conduct, with some even suggesting him to get help.

However, Rublev has admitted that his anger issues sometimes get the better of him. He once explained why he loses his cool on the tennis court.

Andrey Rublev reasons out the overwhelming emotions

While it is understandable that emotions can sometimes get the better of players, especially at such a high level and intensity, Rublev’s anger issues have gone over the roof. Time and again, we have witnessed Rublev losing his cool and causing controversies with his actions. However, the Russian star has accepted his mistake and revealed what led him to such situations.

He said, “I make mistakes, there are ugly emotional outbursts, sometimes completely inadequate cuz the desire overwhelms me,’ I want this, I need this’ n u can’t hear or see anything so when the reality doesn’t match the desire u start to panic and that panic manifests itself in inadequate emotions.”

With his shocking second-round defeat in Paris, Rublev’s hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals have potentially been finished. The likes of Alex de Minaur and Grigor Dimitrov are still in the fray to overtake Rublev and make it to Turin. While it was understandable why Rublev had the emotional outburst, hurting himself in the process won’t help. What’s your take on Rublev’s outburst in the Paris Masters? Let us know in the comments below.