Andrey Rublev closes difficult 2026 season with five consecutive losses and a surprising admission: “'I've criticised myself my whole life”

Wednesday, 04 November 2026 at 06:30

Andrey Rublev has ended his 2026 season on a five-match losing streak, with his first-round defeat at the Paris Masters bringing a disappointing conclusion to his campaign. However, the Russian's assessment of the year focused on something beyond his results, highlighting a personal transformation that he considers more important than anything achieved on the tennis court.

Rublev's latest loss came against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who recovered from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6, 7-6. His last victory came against Roman Safiullin in the second round of the China Open in Beijing on September 30. Since then, he has also lost to Alex de Minaur, Rei Sakamoto, Adrian Mannarino and Tommy Paul.

Despite the difficult finish, the former world No. 5 had several positive moments during the season. He won the title in Bastad, reached finals in Barcelona and Hangzhou, and made the quarter-finals in Rome. His best Grand Slam result came at Roland-Garros, where he reached the Round of 16 before losing to Czech player Jakub Mensik.

The closing stretch nevertheless brought renewed attention to the challenges Rublev has faced away from competition. Having previously spoken about burnout and the difficulties of maintaining his mental well-being, the 28-year-old now appears to be approaching his career with a different perspective, placing greater importance on his personal development.

'I've criticised myself my whole life': Rublev reflects on personal progress

Asked by Championat what he could be proud of after his season, Rublev did not point to a particular tournament result or achievement. Instead, he highlighted the work he has done on himself away from the tennis court.

"I can be proud of the work I've done on myself, not on the court, but simply working on myself. Those moments when I discovered myself in a new way and learned about myself. I can be grateful for those moments," Rublev told Championat correspondent Ekaterina Muradyan.

When asked whether there was anything he should criticise himself for, the Russian gave an answer that offered further insight into his changing mindset. "No, I don't want to criticise myself. I've been criticising myself my whole life," he replied.

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Rublev's five-match losing streak puts difficult end to season into perspective

Rublev finished the season with a 6-4 win-loss record at Grand Slam tournaments. His best performance came at Roland-Garros, where he reached the fourth round before losing to Jakub Mensik. At Masters 1000 events, he recorded a 5-9 record, with his quarter-final appearance in Rome standing out as one of his strongest runs. He eventually lost to Jannik Sinner, who went on to win the title.

His final stretch was considerably more difficult. After losing to Alex de Minaur in the Beijing quarter-finals on September 30, Rublev was beaten by Rei Sakamoto in Shanghai, Adrian Mannarino in Almaty, Tommy Paul in Vienna and Etcheverry in Paris.

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That experience is now shaping how Rublev intends to prepare for the 2027 season. The Russian wants to avoid repeating the extended break that followed his burnout and believes starting his preparation earlier will help him build a stronger foundation.

"I want to start my preparation earlier, so that it's good and productive, for a few weeks," he explained. "Last year, on the contrary, there was the burnout. I didn't want to play tennis and I took too long a break. So I didn't really have time to do a good preparation."

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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