"I completely lost it": Andrey Rublev expresses disappointment over behavior in French Open

Friday, 31 May 2024 at 21:30

Andrey Rublev expressed his disappointment over his conduct during his defeat at the French Open to Matteo Arnaldi. The Russian entered as the 6th seed with good chances of making a significant impact, especially given that this Roland Garros features one of the most open draws in the last 20 years.

With doubts surrounding Djokovic's form, Nadal's first-round exit, and the physical issues of Alcaraz and Sinner, the scenario seemed ideal for players like Rublev, who had won his second Masters 1000 title in early May at the Madrid Open.

Rublev laments missed opportunities in shocking loss

Despite a strong start in the tournament with wins over Taro Daniel (No. 80) and Pedro Martinez (No. 48), the third round was a disappointing performance for the Russian. Rublev faced Italian Matteo Arnaldi (No. 35) and couldn't win a single set against the Italian's impressive play, who reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time with a 7-6(6), 6-2, 6-4 victory.

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Rublev's frustration was evident as he appeared angry and on the verge of tears, breaking his racket and shouting multiple times during the match. In the press conference, he reflected on the tough loss to Arnaldi: "I had a lot of opportunities, a lot of chances, and I didn’t make it,” Rublev stated.

“Then in one moment, I completely lose it, and that’s it when I had, yeah, so many chances to come back, to lead again or to take the lead, and I didn’t make it, I didn’t make it, I didn’t make it. Then I completely, I was keeping it inside, and when I lose the break second time in the second set, I lose it completely,” he added.

The world No. 6 admitted that he struggled with frustration and his temper from the first set, which affected his performance: “It was just during the match that I was up with the break, I was 30-0, I did a really few stupid mistakes, so basically I bring him back to the game. Then I had something again before tiebreak that I could break or something, then inside the tiebreak I had chances, and then second set I start completely already on emotions.

“But somehow I was able to break back, and it looked like I started to have a bit more chances. Then out of nowhere, again, I collapsed with myself, I got emotional, I lost my serve, and then I lost it completely and basically I almost – almost, no, I tanked the second set, and then it was too late, because then he started to play unbelievable. When you’re doing those things, normally it’s tough to come back.”

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It was an afternoon to forget for Andrey Rublev at Roland-Garros 😬💥 #RolandGarros

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2:22 PM · May 31, 2024

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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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