In a candid revelation, Andrey Rublev’s coach, Fernando Vicente, shed light on the emotional turmoil that the Russian tennis star has been grappling with since a distressing incident in Dubai earlier this year. Vicente confirmed that Rublev’s struggles led him to seek professional help, visiting a psychologist multiple times each week to address his mental health.
At the beginning of 2024, Rublev showcased his prowess by scoring notable victories, including triumphs in Hong Kong and making it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. However, a dramatic turn of events unfolded during the Dubai semifinals where a heated exchange with line umpire Alexander Bublik resulted in a disqualification that significantly impacted his focus and performance for the rest of the season. Following that fateful match, Rublev endured a challenging six weeks, recording just one win out of five matches, marked by disappointing early exits at both the French Open and Wimbledon. “I truly believed we were poised for an exceptional year after our success in Australia,” Vicente explained. “But the incident in Dubai was unprecedented for Andrey, and it derailed his momentum, leading to struggles at significant tournaments such as Roland Garros and Wimbledon. It was a crushing blow to our season, ultimately prompting us to skip the Olympics. Despite that setback, Andrey secured a Masters title in Madrid which was a silver lining during these tough times,” Vicente reflected. The turning point came after a shocking defeat to world No. 85, Francisco Comesana, in the opening round at Wimbledon.
In response, Rublev intensified his mental health efforts, engaging in therapy three times a week. His perseverance paid off as he bounced back on the circuit, reaching the finals of the Montreal Masters and showcasing resilience with several quarterfinal finishes, including a strong performance at the US Open, leading to an appearance at the ATP Finals. On paper, Rublev’s latter half of the season might seem unspectacular, but it’s important to consider his emotional recovery from a tumultuous period where he struggled profoundly. Vicente emphasized the importance of support from coaches and the team during this challenging journey. “We made it a priority to rally around him, discussing his mental state in our sessions with the psychologist. We wanted to remind him of his potential and past successes. As a coach, I too face obstacles, from family matters to various challenges, but ultimately we ended on a high note and look to the next season with optimism,” Vicente stated. Despite facing such challenges, the 27-year-old has remained a beloved character both in the locker room and among fans, known for his amiable demeanor and kindness. Yet, there exists a contrasting side where the world No. 8 occasionally demonstrates emotional volatility during matches, even wrestling with thoughts of self-harm. Vicente, who has nurtured Rublev’s career for nearly a decade, recognized that Russian athletes often carry a unique pressure toward dissatisfaction. To aid Rublev, Vicente sought counsel from tennis legend Marat Safin, who has been providing insights to help Rublev navigate his mental landscape.
“Having worked with Andrey for nine years, I possess a deep understanding of the Russian mindset. It’s common for athletes to be unfulfilled despite their achievements, often leading to despondency. I often turn to Safin to help Andrey grasp where these feelings originate from,” Vicente elaborated. Compounding the challenges of the season, Rublev arrived at the Madrid Masters grappling with severe throat inflammation, a condition so perplexing that even medical professionals were baffled by his symptoms. Nonetheless, he astonishingly triumphed at the tournament.
Upon examination, he was diagnosed with a tonsil abscess—a serious condition that can be life-threatening at times. “Yes, he was ill throughout the week. Winning a tournament under such conditions is nothing short of remarkable. He could barely breathe and had to resort to sleeping on the floor before the finals due to fatigue. How he won is beyond me—it’s been an utterly unprecedented season,” Vicente recounted. Rublev’s victory in Madrid served as a pivotal moment for both him and his team, highlighting the significant burden of expectations he faced. It became clear that when he alleviated the pressure he put on himself, as he did during that tournament due to his illness, he performed remarkably well with renewed clarity and focus. “Indeed. He conserved energy by removing self-criticism from the equation, resulting in a calm demeanor on the court. Throughout the latter half of the season, we emphasized the lessons learned in Madrid. Andrey’s success stemmed from a relaxed approach—going to bed on time, avoiding overexertion, and skipping warm-ups whenever necessary. Overall, he embraced a balanced, thoughtful mindset,” Vicente reflected. For Rublev, a major aspiration remains to achieve a Grand Slam breakthrough, as he continues to navigate a daunting record of 0-10 in quarterfinal appearances at the sport’s biggest events.
