“First time I’ve behaved that badly” – Rublev disappointed in conduct and performance

Shortly after an emotional and angry display on court, it was a more thoughtful Andrey Rublev who spoke to press

Andrey Rublev at Roland-Garros (Gepa/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

May 31, 2024

Roland Garros •Third round • completed

See draw

A. RublevvsM. Arnaldi

Smashing racquets, kicking benches, and hitting his own legs – these might be things spectators have seen from Andrey Rublev before, but he thinks that he has never behaved worse than he did during his match against Matteo Arnaldi at Roland-Garros.

En route to a 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-4 defeat, the Russian was clearly angry and heading towards tearful, and reflected afterwards: “Completely disappointed with myself the way I behaved, the way I performed, and
I don’t remember behaving worse on a slams ever. I think it was first time I ever behave that bad.”

It was an afternoon to forget for Andrey Rublev at Roland-Garros 😬💥#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/U0ou2C16Ca
— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 31, 2024

Dismissing the suggestion that he was particularly enraged by the umpire, he explained: “I had a lot of opportunities, a lot of chances, and I didn’t make it. Then in one moment, if I completely lose it, and that’s it when I had, yeah, so many chances to come back, to lead again or to take the lead, and I didn’t make it, I didn’t make it, I didn’t make it. Then I completely, I was keeping it inside, and when I lose the break second time in the second set, I lose it completely.”

Rublev: I got emotional

Rublev also admitted that he was struggling with his temper from the first set, saying: “It was just during the match that I was up with the break, I was 30-0, I did a really few stupid mistakes, so basically I bring him back to the game. Then I had something again before tiebreak that I could break or something, then inside the tiebreak I had chances, and then second set I start completely already on emotions.

“But somehow I was able to break back, and looks like I start to have a bit more chances. Then out of nowhere, again, I collapse with myself, I get emotional, I lost my serve, and then I lose it completely and basically I almost – almost, no, I tank the second set, and then it was too late, because then he start to play unbelievable. When you’re doing those things, normally it’s tough to come back.”