Andrey Rublev Smashes Racket in Frustration During Miami Masters Loss
Andrey Rublev lost his temper early in his Miami Masters match against Zizou Bergs, smashing his racket just five games into the contest.
With the 51st-ranked Belgian holding game point, Rublev misfired a shot that sailed near the stands. Frustrated with himself, the 17-time ATP champion vented his anger on his racket, earning a code violation for racket abuse. His frustration may have also stemmed from an earlier missed break point opportunity just two games prior.
Rublev’s Struggles Continue with Third Straight Loss
Despite his outburst, Rublev had a chance to turn things around. However, the No. 8 seed lost his serve at a critical moment—while serving to stay in the first set at 5-6. Although he fought back to lead 4-2 in the second set, he couldn’t hold on, as Bergs reeled off four straight games to seal a 7-5, 6-4 victory.
This defeat marks Rublev’s third consecutive early exit, following first-round losses in Dubai and Indian Wells. However, fans seemed more concerned about his emotional reaction than the loss itself.
Concerns Over Rublev’s Mental State
Last month, Rublev shared that he was in a “neutral state”—neither happy nor sad—but still in a better place than last year when he battled major depression and even resorted to self-harm. Given that context, some worry that his Miami outburst could signal a setback in his mental health journey.
Hopefully, this incident is just a moment of frustration rather than a sign of deeper struggles.
