Exclusive interview: Andrey Rublev on grass, success at Monte Carlo and being Russian in 2023
Andrey Rublev told Tennis Majors that the trophy in Monte Carlo gave him extra belief in his team, and he reflected on most of the Russian athletes not being able to compete at the international level
Andrey Rublev at 2023 Wimbledon
Image Credit: Fotoarena / Panoramic
Andrey Rublev was never particularly fond of grass. He is not hiding it, but he is fighting through it trying to make the most out of his game that does contain weapons needed for success on the green lawns.
Two years ago, Rublev made the fourth round at Wimbledon. This time around he’s won his first two matches – against Max Purcell in three and Aslan Karatsev in four sets.
Speaking to Tennis Majors ahead of his third round showdown with David Goffin, the world No 7 talked about why he doesn’t like grass, how the title in Monte Carlo invigorated him, as well as about the reception in London following the ban on Russian and Belarusian players from last year’s Wimbledon.
Rublev on the volatility of playing grass
TM: Two wins now, Andrey. What is it about grass that you like and what do you think you can do better on this surface?
Andrey Rublev: I don’t like grass at all (laughing). Of course, we can’t cancel the grass, it’s part of history and these tournaments are amazing even if you don’t like the surface. I mean, it’s OK, I know that I have a good game to play on grass.
It’s just that I don’t like this feeling I have… Basically, here you can lose to anyone, even if you’re better than the opponent from the baseline – an opponent is serving really well, goes for two shots full power and you lose.
These things happen very often on grass, you can see it by seeing the results. Some players would otherwise lose to certain players, but they know how to play on grass, they use short rallies and they end up winning. That’s why (I don’t like grass).
Monte Carlo crucial for Rublev’s belief in his own game
TM: How much more belief has the title in Monte-Carlo given you in big tournaments, while you’re chasing your first Slam semi-final?
Andrey Rublev: It gave me more belief. I changed many members on my team (adding tennis coach Alberto Martin to his main coach Fernando Vicente, and new fitness coach Marcos Borderias), so that title was the sign that I am on the right track.
I did really well on practices and that’s what I was looking for, but sometimes that work is not reflected on the results. Winning in Monte-Carlo gave me this confidence that I am doing everything right, that my team is perfect and that I need to trust them even more – to trust them 100 percent, without a trace of doubt.
The reality of being a Russian athlete in 2023
TM: Considering what happened last year (Russian and Belarusian players being banned from Wimbledon), how do you feel about the reception you received at Wimbledon and in London?
Andrey Rublev: Very good, I am happy to be again at this beautiful club. The atmosphere is beautiful, the crowd is amazing, almost all the courts are full of people – they’re watching, they’re supporting… In general, I really like London, I always have a nice time here, so it’s a great feeling being here again playing Wimbledon.
TM: How difficult has it been for Russian athletes in the past year not being able to compete – not only tennis players – to deal with the situation that has been complicated in so many ways?
Andrey Rublev: In my case, I am super lucky because we are able to play and to travel the world. It’s much more complicated for other athletes, most of them cannot compete, especially team sports.
TM: Did you maybe talk to any of them?
Andrey Rublev: No, because I don’t really know many athletes. I know a few guys, but some of them are nearing the end of their careers. They have already achieved a lot, so for them it’s OK. For others, it’s tough, for new generations and for the ones that are at their peak now – they cannot perform at the international level…
Like I was saying from the beginning (of the war), I just hope soon somehow, somewhere the situation will turn around and all these bad things will end. Then we can finally focus on how to improve the world.
