Coach opens up on Andrey Rublev's dark place in 2024 and turning to professional help

Yesterday at 08:25 PM

Coach Fernando Vicente confirmed that Andrey Rublev was in depressive state for months after that infamous Dubai incident and that ultimately led to him visiting a psychologist several times a week.

Early in the year, the Russian tennis star made a couple of notable results after winning Hong Kong and also reaching the Australian Open quarterfinal. Then, he made the Dubai semifinal before absolutely losing it late in the match against Alexander Bublik and lashing out at a line umpire - he screamed at the umpire's face and got disqualified. 

In the next month and a half, Rublev went just 1-4 and didn't look like himself on the court. Also, he lost in the French Open third round and exited Wimbledon in the first round.

"After Australia, I was sure that we would have a great year. However, then this situation arose in Dubai, which had never happened to Andrey before. After that, Andrey completely lost focus, which resulted in a complete disaster at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. One situation destroyed the season. Because of this, we decided to skip the Olympics. Although Andrey managed to win the Masters in Madrid," Vicente told Championat.

Following a shock loss world No. 85 Francisco Comesana in the Wimbledon first round, Rublev started talking to a psychologist three times a week. When he returned to action, he finished as runner-up at the Montreal Masters and had a couple of quarterfinal showings, including the one at the US Open. Also, he ended up making the ATP Finals, where he went 0-3.

On paper, it wasn't a really impressive second part of 2024 but it was major improvement considering how badly he felt at one point.

"Yes, very deeply. We tried to be there for him, support him, went to a psychologist three times a week, where we talked about Rublev remembering where he was when it all started, and what heights he managed to reach. This is a normal situation. As a coach, I also face a lot of problems during the year — family, children, other problems. But in the end, we finished the year in a good position and are looking to the next season with great hopes," Vicente added.

In the locker room and among fans, the 27-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most likable players and is often described as very nice and kind. But there is also that side when the world No. 8 can absolutely lose it on the court and even turn to self harm. 

The Spanish coach, who has worked with the former world No. 5 for years, says Russians in general are never satisfied so that explains some things. Also, Vicente revealed that they are in contact with Marat Safin, who has been trying to pass on some advice to Rublev. 

"I've been working with Andrey for nine years now. I understand the Russian mentality. You are rarely satisfied with what you've achieved, you're often sad. I ask Safin to explain many of these things to Andrey so that he, too, understands where it comes from," the coach explained.

After not doing well for two months, the Russian came to the Madrid Masters with his throat fully inflamed. At times, it was so bad that even the doctors didn't know what was happening but he still managed to win the title. Later, he was diagnosed with tonsil abcess - a condition that in some cases can even be life threatening.

"Yes, he was sick all week. I can’t imagine how you can win a tournament with such throat problems. He could barely breathe, the night before the final Andrey slept on the floor, zero energy, but he won — I don’t know how. Overall, it’s been a crazy season," Vicente recounted.

That victory helped Rublev but also his team realize to the fullest how much he was impacted by pressure and expectations. In Madrid, he was sick and didn't pressure himself nor overthink. 

"Absolutely. He didn't waste extra energy on scolding himself, because he could hardly speak, ha-ha. And he behaved just fine on the court. The entire second half of the season we explained to Andrey why he was able to win in Madrid. Precisely because he went to bed on time, didn't sweat it, could skip the warm-up when he felt it was necessary. In general, he approached everything calmly and wisely," Vicente noted.

For Rublev, one of his biggest goals remains finally making a Grand Slam breakthrough as he is a stunning 0-10 in his Slam quarterfinal matches.