"Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are the best": Andrey Rublev makes honest assessment ahead of 2023 ATP Finals

Although only the top-ranked players have the privilege of competing at the year-ending ATP Finals, Andrey Rublev believes Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are a level above the rest of the field.

Rublev is one of the participants at the 2023 ATP Finals, which starts on November 12. The Russian had a memorable year, winning his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlos earlier this season. Additionally, he finished runner-up at the Shanghai Masters event, and fell in the semifinals of the Paris Masters.

During a press conference prior to the event's kickoff, Rublev gave an honest admission on the difference in level between Djokovic, Alcaraz and the rest of the competitors.

"At the beginning of the year I felt that I was doing good things in training, but I wasn't winning anything important, so try still strange sensations," said the Russian. "And then Monte Carlo gave me the certainty that the work I was doing was the right one. Then, a few results later, and arriving in the Shanghai final, I demonstrated that the team I have, the training sessions I'm doing, are the form I was looking for and I have to do it with even more confidence.

"Of course, if I play against Djokovic or Alcaraz, I will do my best to try to compete against them and have the opportunity to try to win. But it's very hard, they are better than me and have proven it for many years. We will see. That's why I really need to play my best tennis."

Rublev kicks off his ATP Finals campaign against compatriot Daniil Medvedev on Monday, November 13, and will look to better his semifinal showing from last year's edition.