Martina Navratilova ‘worried’ for Andrey Rublev as he draws blood in latest anger meltdown
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has suggested Andrey Rublev will never be able to reach the latter stages of a Grand Slam unless he learns to control his temper.
In a 2024 US Open loaded with shocks, Rublev may have believed he could end his record of never getting past the quarter-finals in a major championship.
Yet those hopes came to an end as he lost 6-3, 7-6(3), 1-6, 3-6, 6-3 against Grigor Dimitrov in a thrilling last-16 clash in New York.
“I was playing fairly good, I think, for the first two sets,” said Dimitrov in his on-court interview. “For some reason, my body was starting to lose its rhythm a little bit and he was not going to just give up the match.
“You know how he is. I just had to stay patient and I think today the biggest thing that helped me was my experience.
“I’m trying to enjoy every single moment and celebrate every day I get to come out here. I want to focus on the good things and the things I can improve. I’m thrilled to be in the second week.
“I feel very mature. It’s a battle every day, where I’m at I’m seeing more of my experience. That’s what happened today, a couple of points in the fifth set was enough to get me over the line. Every match will get tougher and tougher so I just try to enjoy it.
“I’m going to enjoy tonight. I’m trying to enjoy every single moment and I’m celebrating every day that I get to be out here.
“I’m just focusing on myself. I’ve had very tough weeks, with my body and everything. So I just want to focus on my rehab and the good things that I did today, things that I can improve, just keep it as basic as possible, and I’m thrilled to be through to the second week.”
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Dimitrov’s joy was contrasted by Rublev’s agony, as he missed out on Grand Slam glory once again when he appeared to have got himself back into contention heading into a fifth set.
Once again, his anger got the better of him at times in the match and he was forced to call for medical assistance when he cut his hand after smashing his racket into his palm violently.
That inspired tennis legend Navratilova to express her concern for Rublev, as she offered up some strong views on Sky Sports.
“He beats himself and the negative energy just cannot be helpful,” she said. “He just keeps making the same mistake over and over again. You are worried for him.
“Come on, just get it together. You are only hurting himself, literally physically and emotionally. He needs to save his energy for good stuff, like hitting tennis balls. Not hitting his head.
“He’s got the game to win a major, I believe that. He’s got the big serve, the big forehand and he just needs to improve his net game a little.
“The sky is the limit. The guy has got it all. He just needs to work on the mentality. He is such a lovely guy.”
