"At least i found a base": Andrey Rublev credits Marat Safin, who previously struggled with his own mental health challenges, for helping him overcome his own

Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev has opened up about his struggles with anxiety and depression, crediting former world No. 1 Marat Safin for helping him improve his mental health. Known for his powerful game, Rublev has faced internal battles that have affected both his performance and well-being.

Rublev revealed that the pressures of professional tennis led to severe anxiety and depressive episodes. These struggles impacted not just his game but also his personal life, making it difficult to enjoy his achievements. Seeking guidance, he turned to compatriot Marat Safin, who has been open about his own mental health challenges.

Safin provided invaluable advice on handling the emotional and psychological demands of the sport. Through regular conversations, he emphasized mental resilience, self-acceptance, and maintaining a balance between professional and personal life. This mentorship has helped Rublev develop strategies to cope with the highs and lows of competitive tennis.

"He made me understand myself," Rublev said to The National. "That was a bit of a restart from the bottom. I was able little by little to start to move in a better direction. "I'm not happy. I'm not in a good or bad place, but I'm not feeling any more stress, I'm not feeling anxious, I'm not having depression. I'm just neutral. At least I found a base. That's a beginning."

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No luck today  for Rublev in Dubai

Despite his progress off the court, Rublev faced a setback in his recent match at the Dubai Championships. Just three days after clinching the Qatar Open title, the third-seeded Rublev was defeated in the first round by French qualifier Quentin Halys. The match concluded with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in favor of Halys, marking a surprising early exit for the Russian player.

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