In a year defined by fierce competition and personal challenges, Andrey Rublev’s journey has showcased not just his physical strength but also a quiet determination to overcome mental struggles. Although, the tennis player felt strong physically throughout the year, Rublev admitted that it wasn’t just the pressure of performing but the accumulation of past mental struggles as well that created an inner battle. Reflecting on his year, Rublev shared how he managed to rebuild his strength, especially during the American Swing where he improved considerably.

“Physically, there were not many challenges; more or less, I was feeling all the year really well,” Rublev explained. “Mentally, yeah, mentally I was struggling… and it was a bit of a roller coaster in terms of results, but then I was able to find a little bit better mindset.” Rublev emphasized that he was particularly proud of himself for maintaining his goal of qualifying, saying, “I feel proud… I was struggling mentally, and I was able to end up being here.”

During the American Swing, Rublev saw a gradual improvement in his performance, with notable victories at the Washington Open and Madrid Open. However, consistency was also a little hard to come by as witnessed by his early exit in other major tournaments. Rublev was unable to advance past the quarterfinals at the Citi Open, Cincinnati Masters, China Open, and Swiss Indoors.

Besides the performance, Rublev’s on-court conduct during matches also raised concerns. Moments of frustration, especially at the French Open and Paris Masters, highlighted the emotional toll of intense competition. Former tennis star Andy Roddick also weighed in on the issue, suggesting that measures should be in place to address such outbursts. On his podcast, Served with Andy, Roddick remarked, ‘If you hit yourself, you get a warning.”

But it seems the player has risen over that. Now, Rublev is demonstrating his skill and strength. And we caught a glimpse of the shame in his recent showdown against seasoned Italian player Lorenzo Sonego. 

Andrey Rublev’s Redemption on the Court

In his November 5 Moselle Open match against Lorenzo Sonego, Andrey Rublev showcased an intense performance. Rublev held his nerve and secured a hard-fought victory in straight sets (7-6, 7-5). The first set was a tight contest, but he edged out Sonego in a tiebreak with strategic shot placement and powerful moves. Known for his aggressive baseline play, Rublev used heavy groundstrokes to dictate points and keep Sonego under constant pressure.

Reflecting on his phenomenal victory, Rublev acknowledged the intensity of his match against Lorenzo. ‘It was a tough match; he is playing really well,’ Rublev said. Rublev also noted that Lorenzo had bested him in their last two encounters, and he praised his opponent’s powerful serve and strong forehand, which created difficult obstacles. ‘The first set could have gone either way, but as soon as I had a chance, I was able to take it,’ Rublev added. 

Andrey Rublev’s victory not only marked a personal achievement in leveling their head-to-head record at 2-2 but it was also a testament to his increased focus and mental strength. Unfortunately, Rublev couldn’t carry on in the tournament as he had to withdraw from his Moselle Open quarterfinal match against Corentin Moutet due to an injury. This gave Moutet a walkover to advance in the game two days before the ATP finals. What do you think of his chances in the Finals? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below: