"With my basic style, I have already reached my limit" - Changes to the Andrey Rublev game in store as stagnant form becoming problem

It has felt like Andrey Rublev has stagnated in recent months. His regular Grand Slam quarterfinals and deep runs in big tournaments have become a rare sight, replaced by early exits and disappointing showings on court. The Russian believes he has reached his ceiling in terms of potential, but will not adapt his style.

He was the picture of consistency, widely celebrated by many tennis fans. Between 2020 and 2024, Rublev finished the year either fifth or eighth in the rankings. He was always a threat moving in the latter stages of tournaments, reaching 22 finals in this period, 26 in total. He had won 16 of them, including two Masters 1000 titles from six finals, along with six ATP 500 triumphs.

This was a golden period for Rublev, but these times have not lasted. Just two finals were reached last year which were by far the best results of his 2025. He failed to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time since 2019 and dropped out of the top 10. He ended the year as world number 16, and that slide threatens to continue. Currently up a place to 15th, it is a very competitive part of the rankings in which he hopes to push through back into the top 10.

The 28-year-old was going into the 2026 Miami Open looking for a spark to boost his season. He had previously had a positive run to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi-final, but that was marred by a failure to defeat an injury-stricken Tallon Griekspoor. A huge part of that was a stubborn Rublev not wanting to adapt or change his game style to offer him the best chance of winning and reaching another ATP final.

Ahead of the second part of the Sunshine double, Rublev sent out a worrying message to his fans. "I feel that with my basic style, relying almost solely on my forehand and lacking a plan B, I have already reached my limit," he ruefully admitted.

His highest ranking was fifth in the world, but that seems to be his ceiling. "I believe I squeezed everything I could to reach the top 5. Now it's time to try changing things and see if that gives me an extra push."

There is something missing in the Rublev game. "I feel like I'm missing completing the puzzle," he said. "Sometimes I do things, but not at the right moment. I come to the net when I shouldn't or I don't know when to change directions. When you start doing it recently, many times you decide randomly. It takes time until you really understand it."

Since April 2025, Rublev has been with his coach, Marat Safin, and has enjoyed his time with him. The two-time Grand Slam champion has motivated Rubev to seek adaptations to his style.

"Before it was very hard for me, I didn't want to change," he acknowledged. "I thought that with my forehand alone, I would never fail. But when I realised that doesn't exist, I decided to try something different."

He was in full praise of Safin, who despite his prior temperament on court was described as a 'calming' presence. Rublev himself is not afraid of a regular outburst when the spotlight is on him. "Working with Safin helps a lot," he stated. "He brings calmness and maturity. Just having him there makes me feel calmer, as if everything will go well. He is very different from how he was when he played; he has changed a lot."

Rublev's Miami Open campaign ended with a whimper at the hands of Alejandro Tabilo in three sets, making that two second round exits in the 2026 Sunshine swing. He will now look towards the clay which is a favourable surface for Rublev as he looks to roll back the years and find his mojo once more on court.