Andrey Rublev has openly acknowledged that while his game has seen improvements, there’s still a long way to go, particularly in terms of controlling his emotions on the court. The 27-year-old Russian has had a productive year, claiming two titles, including the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 Madrid Open, and finishing as a runner-up in Canada. However, despite these successes, Rublev admits that he didn’t quite reach his peak performance in 2024.
His Grand Slam results were modest, with a lone quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open. His win-loss record stood at 43-26 (62%), a drop from the previous years—68% in 2023 and 72% in 2022. This decline in his overall performance, coupled with a dip in the ATP rankings to No. 8, has made it increasingly clear that the gap between him and rising stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz is widening.
When asked about the mental aspect of his struggle to keep up with the top contenders, Rublev acknowledged that his game still requires considerable work in several technical areas, not just the mental side. “There’s a bit of everything,” he explained to AFP. “The mental side is important, of course, but there are also many areas in my game that need improvement.” Rublev admitted that despite being in the top 10, he remains one of the weakest players at the net. “I’m one of the worst net players in the top 10,” he said candidly. While his peers can strike from difficult positions with ease, Rublev confessed that his shots sometimes miss the mark. “So I’m trying to work on those details now, dedicating more time to them than before. In the past, I was obsessed with my forehand, but today I’m more open to working on other aspects of my game.”
Rublev has long been known for his fiery temperament on the court, often letting his emotions get the better of him. He’s even had incidents where he injured himself during on-court outbursts, striking himself with his racket. While he has sought professional help to manage his anger issues, Rublev is clear that improving his emotional control is a “long-term job.” “It’s a process,” he confessed. “Sometimes you progress, then you take a step back. There are many things that can cause you to lose control and fall back into old habits.” Despite this, Rublev remains determined. “Of course, I want to be the best, but it’s going to take time,” he added.
Rublev’s emotional intensity has been a topic of discussion in the tennis world, with some experts suggesting that it’s part of what drives him on the court. Patrick Mouratoglou, the renowned coach and founder of Ultimate Tennis Showdown, has previously commented that Rublev may need this “craziness” to play at his best. “When he loses his cool, it hurts him,” Mouratoglou said, reflecting on Rublev’s struggles this season. “But I think he needs that intensity to perform well. If he tries to control it too much out of fear of going too far, that’s when he loses his rhythm.” Mouratoglou emphasized that finding the right balance for Rublev—a balance between control and passion—remains a delicate challenge.
Despite the hurdles, Rublev is still very much focused on improving his game and mental fortitude. Only time will tell if he can find that equilibrium and unlock his full potential.