Andrey Rublev Opens Up on Battle with Depression: “I Was Completely Lost”
Andrey Rublev has courageously shared his struggles with depression, revealing that he spent years feeling “completely lost” and questioning the purpose of life.
The Russian, known for his consistency on tour—finishing in the top 10 for the last four seasons—admitted that despite his success, he had been silently battling inner turmoil.
“I was just kind of in a loop, lost with myself for a couple of years,” Rublev said ahead of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
“I didn’t know what to do or what for. It might sound dramatic, but I was completely lost with myself.”
Years of Pain and Struggle
Rublev described how the emotional pain built up over time, making it increasingly difficult to cope.
“It’s one thing when it happens for a month or two—you still have patience,” he explained.
“But when it goes on for one, two, three, four, five years, at some point, you can’t take it anymore.”
Seeking relief, Rublev turned to antidepressants but found they didn’t work for him.
“I realized it wasn’t getting worse, but something felt weird. I didn’t like the feeling I was having, so I stopped taking them.”
A Turning Point: Guidance from Marat Safin
After a tough first-round exit at Wimbledon last year—where he vented his frustration by repeatedly smashing his knee with his racket—Rublev found support from retired tennis great Marat Safin.
“With Marat’s help, he made me understand myself better. That was kind of a restart from rock bottom.”
Now, Rublev says he is gradually moving in the right direction.
“At the start of the year, I said I wasn’t happy, but I also wasn’t in a bad place. I don’t feel stressed, anxious, or depressed anymore—I’m just neutral. But at least I found a base. That’s a beginning.”
Translating Mental Strength into On-Court Success
Rublev’s mental resilience has been reflected in his recent performances. At the Qatar Open, he fought through multiple tough matches to claim his 17th career title, and his second in Doha.
In the quarter-finals, he blew a 5-2 lead against Alex de Minaur and failed to convert seven match points before finally sealing victory on his eighth attempt. He then battled through two more three-set matches, ultimately defeating Jack Draper in the final.
With his mind in a more stable place, Rublev is now channeling his energy into his game, proving that inner strength is just as important as physical ability on the court.
