Biofile: Andrey Rublev Interview

[scoop]

By Scoop Malinowski

Status: ATP no. 53.

Ht: 6-2 Wt: 178

DOB: October 20, 1997 In: Moscow, Russia

First Tennis Memory: [Laughs] I don’t know. Because I play tennis since I know myself because my mom was a tennis coach. So I don’t know.

Tennis Inspirations: I don’t know, I just love to play tennis.

Tennis Heroes: I like Nadal when I was kid. And Safin. When I saw them since the first time, I like it. It not like I was thinking, Oh, something, and I like them. When I see them, straight I like them.

Last Book Read: Rafael Nadal’s.

Greatest Sports Moment: I think it’s two victories – first ATP title, and second in Davis Cup (defeated Andujar 64 76 63 in decisive fifth rubber to complete 0-2 comeback for Russia vs. Spain, securing Russia a spot in the World Group Play-Offs).

Most Painful Moment: Last two years it was like this. Especially all the last year it was absolutely full of depress, full of tears. Now I’m happy. It’s much better now..

Strangest Match: Windy and snowy sometimes at some of the tournaments.

Favorite Tournaments: For the moment, it’s every ATP tournament – because I just – it’s my first time. When I play some ATP and Grand Slams, so I’m like so excited. And I’ve never seen organization like this, so, of course, I don’t know.

Interesting Facts: Andrey’s father Andrey Sr. was a professional boxer and he practices boxing as part of his training for tennis.

First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: I’m not sure. I think, for sure, it was one of the Russian players but I don’t know which one. I remember when I was a kid I was a big fan of Safin. And I remember only when I meet with him. But for sure, before him, I meet with someone else. But I don’t know who.

Current Car: I don’t have a car. I’m too young [smiles].

Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: Actually I have a lot of favorite sports – I like snowboard, wake board, basketball, football, American football…

Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: Formula One – (Lewis) Hamilton. LeBron James. Federer, Nadal and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: I’m not big fan of ice cream but the most is vanilla.

Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: I don’t know, it’s my life I think. Because I cannot imagine me without tennis. I just like it, and that’s it. I cannot be without tennis. I don’t know. I think it’s something special, more special, different feelings than compared to the team sports. It’s another feeling. I like this feeling more.

People Qualities Most Admired: People, like, who never lie.

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Q: I think you lost in the qualies last year (to Miljan Zekic 76 67 46).

ANDREY RUBLEV: First round (laughter).

Q. Big changes. What turned your year around, your career around? Where did the confidence come from? Specific tournament or match?

ANDREY RUBLEV: No, just last year I changed all the team completely. I moved to Barcelona to practice with a new coach and new physio, a new fitness coach, all the new team. This is it.

Q. Why the change?

ANDREY RUBLEV: Because, I mean, before was not working. It was something, I don’t know, else.
Now, last year when I moved there, the real work starts. That’s it. I feel that I’m not improving, I’m going only worse and worse, so I had to change something.

 

[Front242]

Hopefully his man love for Nadal won't cloud his thoughts when he plays him. When you idolize a player it can be difficult to finally play them and to play your proper game.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I don't think Russians suffer that kind of softness and sentimentality. Rublev has suffered a lot for two years of poor results and he's starving for this kind of win. He has the forehand to hurt Nadal. I think Rublev will have the mindset to destroy, to keep up with the Shapovalovs. "If Shapovalov can do it, why can't I?"