“I play tennis to play at main tournaments” – Andrey Rublev sends bold message after leading Falcons to World Tennis League victory
Andrey Rublev shared a candid response after leading Team Falcons to victory in the World Tennis League on Sunday. The World No. 8 secured a dominant 6-2 win over India’s Sumit Nagal in the final match, sealing the title for the Falcons.
When asked if moments like this were the reason he plays tennis, Rublev gave an unexpected reply. Rather than emphasizing the exhibition win, the Russian admitted that his primary focus is on major tournaments, such as the Grand Slams. “To be honest, not for these moments. I play tennis to play at main tournaments, to play my best level at those events,” Rublev stated, revealing that it’s the larger, more prestigious events that motivate him.
Despite this, Rublev acknowledged that winning the World Tennis League was still a satisfying experience. “It’s still a nice feeling. I did my best, I tried, and we were able to win, so that’s the most important thing,” he added.
Rublev’s win over Nagal marked his second consecutive World Tennis League title. He was part of a strong Falcons team alongside Denis Shapovalov, Caroline Garcia, and Elena Rybakina. After finishing first in the round-robin stage, the Falcons advanced to the final to face Team Hawks, whose lineup included Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Jordan Thompson, and Sumit Nagal.
The final began with the Falcons trailing 8-13 after the first two matches, putting them in a tough spot. However, Rublev and Shapovalov mounted a crucial comeback in the men’s doubles, defeating Thompson and Nagal 6-2. Rublev then took on Nagal in singles, where he dominated with a 6-1 win, securing a 20-16 overall victory for the Falcons.
This title marks Rublev’s second straight championship at the exhibition event, having also triumphed in 2023 alongside teammates Andreeva, Kenin, and Medvedev.
In his post-match interview, Rublev opened up about the dynamic within Team Falcons, noting that while they didn’t spend much time together outside of matches, they shared a mutual respect and understanding. “There is no behind-the-scenes because we didn’t spend even one minute together outside of the bench, but I know the guys really well. Since juniors, we’ve played many matches. Elena (Rybakina) and Caroline (Garcia) are super nice girls,” Rublev said.
He also expressed how honored he felt to be part of the team, saying, “All of them are amazing players, and it was a privilege to be part of the team.”
Looking ahead, Rublev will now participate in the Macau Tennis Masters, an indoor hardcourt exhibition event, where he will be joined by top players such as Kei Nishikori, Jerry Shang, Karolina Muchova, and Casper Ruud.
