Andrey Rublev reveals unique team bond after Falcons' World Tennis League win: "We didn’t spend even one minute together"
ATP
Andrey Rublev was the hero of the World Tennis League, securing the decisive victory for the title. The World No. 8 played the final match against Sumit Nagal and delivered a commanding 6-2 win to clinch the championship for Team Falcons.
Rublev teamed up with Denis Shapovalov (No. 56), Elena Rybakina (No. 6), and Caroline Garcia (No. 48). The team had finished first in the round-robin stage, advancing to the final against the Hawks, whose lineup included Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1), Mirra Andreeva (No. 16), Jordan Thompson (No. 26), and Sumit Nagal (No. 98)
Andrey Rublev secures decisive win over Nagal
In the round-robin phase, the Hawks dominated with three consecutive wins: women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and women’s singles. However, Rublev managed to secure the men’s singles match, taking the lead in overtime and the super shoot-out to claim a miraculous series victory for the Falcons.
In the final, the Hawks started strong. Andreeva and Sabalenka defeated Garcia and Rybakina 7-6(5) in the women’s doubles. Andreeva then delivered an impressive 6-2 victory over 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina in singles, giving the Hawks a 13-8 lead in games. To win, the Falcons needed victories in the last two matches and a favourable game differential.
Rublev and Shapovalov won the men’s doubles against specialists Nagal and Thompson with a 6-2 score, narrowing the series to 14-15. The men’s singles would decide everything. Rublev needed only a win, which he achieved in dominant fashion with a 6-1 triumph over Nagal, securing the series 20-16 for the Falcons.
Andrey Rublev at the 2024 Australian Open.
After an exhilarating final in Abu Dhabi, Rublev shared his thoughts during an on-court interview. When asked about his mindset during the match’s most tense moments, he said: "I don’t know what to say, nothing was going through my head… I don’t know, I had the opportunity to play singles, we played really well in doubles so we were able to recover some points.
“When I went to play singles, I knew I needed to win the set, because we were one point down. It didn’t matter the score; I just needed to win one set, and that’s it. Then I started to play and started to win, and I felt relaxed and relieved, and then I was able to win.”
Rublev was also asked if big moments like these are the reason he plays tennis. He replied: “To be honest, not for these moments. I play tennis to compete in the main tournaments, to play my best level at those events. It’s still a nice feeling. I did my best, I tried, and we were able to win, so that’s the most important thing.”
Rublev also praised his teammates, acknowledging that they didn’t spend much time together off the court. “There is no behind-the-scenes because we didn’t spend even one minute together outside of the bench, but I know the guys really well. Since juniors, we’ve played many matches. Elena (Rybakina) and Caroline (Garcia) are super nice girls. All of them are amazing players, and it was a privilege to be part of the team.”
andrey's post match intw day 4 pic.twitter.com/VDAxDkc1HI
— i (@atpobsessed) December 22, 2024
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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