Andrey Rublev reveals help from former world No 1 amid disappointing run
Andrey Rublev has revealed that he turned to fellow Russian and former world No 1 Marat Safin for advice amid struggles with form in 2024.
World No 9 Rublev’s slump has been a major talking point throughout 2024, as has his demeanour on the court.
The Russian was defaulted from his semi-final at the Dubai Tennis Championships back in February and has rarely seemed the same player since, with repeated outbursts on the court.
Rublev seemingly righted the ship with his run to a second ATP title of 2024 at the Masters 1000 event in Madrid but has won just three matches since – and has no wins since the French Open.
At Roland Garros he was beaten in straight sets in round three by Matteo Arnaldi, a contest where he seemed to suffer a mental capitulation and repeatedly struck himself at one point.
That was followed by opening-round losses to Marcos Giron in Halle and world No 122 Francisco Comesana at Wimbledon, again appearing to lose focus and hit himself in the latter of those defeats.
Rublev’s Bastad title defence ended with another poor loss to world No 121 Thiago Agustin Tirante a week ago, and he now heads into Umag in desperate need of good form.
Speaking to Russian media before the ATP 250 event in Croatia, he revealed he had reached out to Safin after his SW19 early exit.
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“After Wimbledon, I worked on my head, because the problem was not my tennis,” said Rublev.
“I focused on my head, my mentality. This will sound funny to you, but it is thanks to Marat Safin. We got in touch in one way or another, and that was it.
“He helped me. And I have to thank him.”
Rublev refused to divulge any further about his conversation with the former world No 1, though he will surely be hoping advice from one of the very best will aid him.
Safin was also known for his fiery temper during his career but, alongside reaching the summit of the ATP Rankings, won two Grand Slam titles and reached a further two finals across his career.
Rublev is yet to make it that far at a major – losing all ten of his major quarter-finals – and all eyes will be on whether he can turn things around at the US Open.
The 26-year-old may have a slight advantage compared to many of his rivals, with the former world No 5 choosing to skip the Olympic Games and immediately turn his attention to hard courts after Umag.
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