Andrey Rublev’s on-court struggles haven’t ended this season as well. In 2024, he couldn’t control his temperament on several occasions. Remember how he lost his cool during the Paris Masters in October? He smashed the racket against his knee during the first-round encounter against Francisco Cerundolo. Much of his mental stability has been affected due to the results. Lately, they haven’t been impressive to say the least. Since he won his only title back in May 2024, at the Swedish Open, the World No.10 hasn’t won a trophy.

Now, his compatriot and former World No.1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov has shared a concerning reaction to Rubley. But what did he say?

Starting this season with the Hong Kong Open, Rublev couldn’t impress much. Although he made it to the last eight, he was ousted after losing to Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan who beat him 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Then at the Australian Open, his run ended in the first round itself after the loss to Joao Fonseca. The Brazilian tennis sensation eliminated Rublev in a tense battle with a final score line of 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5). If this outcome wasn’t enough, he then went on to lose a spot to the final in the next ATP event at Montpellier. American Aleksandar Kovacevic beat him in the SF round 7-5, 6-4.

For the unversed, Andrey Rublev had an interaction with The Guardian last month. He revealed how his on-court failures troubled his mental health consistently. And that it’s been the case, on a frequent basis, ever since he lost the first round Wimbledon match against Argentina’s Francisco Comesana. Back in July 2024, Rublev was left in shock, being a top 10 player, when the 122-ranked pro ousted him with a score line of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(5). “That was the worst moment that I face about myself.” So much so, that he didn’t “see the reason of living life.” Recently, former World No.1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov was asked to comment on Rublev’s situation.

In his response, Kafelnikov said, “I don’t communicate with Andrey daily to find out what’s going on deep down in him.” reported We Love Tennis on February 4. Adding to his concern, he said, “I don’t know what to advise him. I hope he has people around him who can give him the right advice. I’m certainly not in the best position. I’ve never had such an experience.”

While his new season is not going great so far, Rublev will try to keep a positive mindset this week. After consecutive exits in January, he’s managed to kick off the new month with a first round victory at Rotterdam.

Andrey Rublev will look to make a deep run at ATP Rotterdam

On Tuesday, Andrey Rublev began his campaign against China’s Zhizhen Zhang. The World No.50 didn’t prove too challenging for the Russian as he bested him with a score line of 6-3, 6-4.

Speaking more of Rublev’s mental state, it was definitely not good last year. Adding more to his Wimbledon defeat, in the interview with The Guardian, the World No.10 mentioned he took “anti-depression tablets and it was not helping at all. In the end I said: ‘I don’t want to take anything any more.’ I stopped all the tablets and Marat Safin (fellow Russian and two-time Major winner) helped me a lot with conversation.” 

Thanks to the two-time Major winner Safin, he was able to witness some positive changes. “I learn a lot about myself and while I don’t feel in a happy mood or the happy place I would like to be I don’t feel any more that crazy anxiety and stress of not understanding what to do with my life.” Now that he’s starting to have a hopeful perspective, again, his only goal will be to do better this season.

Yes, the start of 2025 hasn’t been amazing but all’s not lost yet. Next up is his second round match on Thursday at the ATP Rotterdam. As of now, it’s not confirmed who his opponent will be. But he will only look to give his best no matter what. What are your thoughts on his prospects in Rotterdam? Will he make a deep run? Let us know in the comments below.