"Maybe what happened in Dubai stuck in my mind" admits Andrey Rublev after poor form since line judge implosion
ATP
Andrey
Rublev recalled the incident he experienced at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis
Championships when he was disqualified for yelling at a line judge. The Russian
tennis player was in the semifinals against Aleksander Bublik and was
disqualified near the end of the match with the score 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 5-6.
Until the
controversy, Rublev's season had been positive with his 15th title at the ATP
250 Hong Kong Open and his 10th Grand Slam quarterfinals at the Australian
Open, however, his exit from Dubai marked the beginning of an irregular period.
Read also
In the
Sunshine Double, Rublev only won one match in Indian Wells against Andy Murray,
but was eliminated by Jiri Lehecka. Later at the Miami Open, he didn't even
advance a round, being eliminated by Tomas Machac.
“In Indian
Wells I was so focused on trying to control my movements that I was completely
stuck. I had no more energy, I didn’t have the strength.
“And in
Miami, I exploded. I could no longer control myself, my actions, my nerves. I
felt like I was paralyzed, I couldn’t move,” Rublev added. “Maybe what happened
in Dubai stuck in my mind.”
Andrey Rublev lifts the 2023 Monte Carlo Open trophy
The Russian
will be this week looking to defend the title of the Monte-Carlo Masters, which
he won in 2023 and is so far his only Masters 1000 title. He clinched the
trophy after defeating Holger Rune in the final (5-7, 6-2, 7-5): "It’s a
pleasure to come back here. It’s always a pleasure to come and play on this
magnificent course," he commented.
“I have
great memories, even before I won, I had a lot of them and I’m always very
happy to come back. During the year I sometimes think about my victory,
especially when I watch videos on social media. It makes me feel like I’m there,”
Rublev claimed. “But since I arrived, I try not to think about it too much and
stay focused on my performance,” he added.
Rublev
entered the tournament as the 6th seed and had a bye in the first round, so he
is still waiting to know his opponent, who will come from the winner between
Alexei Popyrin (No. 46) and a player coming from the qualifying rounds.
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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