“I knew that he was not interested”: Andrey Rublev explains how Marat Safin finally came on board

Monday, 07 April 2025 at 19:43

Andrey Rublev has explained the reasons behind including former world No. 1 Marat Safin in his coaching team. The 7th seed is getting ready for his debut at the Monte-Carlo Masters, where he’ll face Frenchman Gaël Monfils in one of Tuesday’s most intriguing matchups.

The Russian reached his first Masters 1000 final in Monte-Carlo back in 2021, and two years later claimed his first title at this level by defeating Holger Rune in a tight three-set final. This time, he’s looking to improve on his disappointing 2024 campaign, where, as defending champion, he lost in the opening round to Alexei Popyrin.

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Rublev’s connection with Safin is not new; he has known him since childhood, and Safin has been a source of support throughout his career, even before officially joining his team. “First of all, Marat is someone that was inspiring me since I was a kid,” Rublev stated in an interview with the ATP Tour.

“Then obviously he knows me since I was a kid and I know him since I was a kid, and later on I started to get to know him more,” the world No. 8 added. “He was just an amazing person and then he’s been through many tough things.”

Andrey Rublev at 2024 Madrid Open. He won his second Masters 1000 title against Felix Auger-Aliassime

Rublev has had several on-court controversies, with emotional outbursts when things don’t go his way. The former world No. 5 has acknowledged that Safin has played a key role in helping him manage his emotions. Their closeness and Safin’s continued support led the 26-year-old to invite him to be part of his team.

“Deep inside, I always wanted to work together, but I knew that he was not interested," Rublev said in an interview with Tennis.com. "And I never wanted to put any pressure because I really care about Marat. Later on, I found out that he's kind of ready to work in tennis or something like that, that he don’t mind.

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"And then I say, ‘OK, even if it's not gonna be me, at least I can ask.’ I have nothing to lose if I ask. Then my agent ask, they talk and little by little we work for a couple of days together.”

Though Safin was known as a hardcourt specialist, the former world No. 1 also achieved notable results on clay. He won two clay-court titles – including the ATP 500 Barcelona Open – reached four other clay finals, and had strong showings with semifinal runs at both the Monte-Carlo Masters and Roland Garros.

Andrey Rublev x Marat Safin 🥶

Aura is absolutely off the charts.

📸 @uts_tour_ pic.twitter.com/Vf26dexqmN
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) April 3, 2025

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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