Andrey Rublev, currently holding the No. 5 spot in the world rankings, recently provided a detailed explanation for his comparison of his mental state during tense and stressful moments on the tennis court to “a scary movie.” Known for his passion and emotional style of play, Rublev’s intensity is palpable, though he directs his outbursts solely at himself.
In a gripping Australian Open round-of-16 clash against Alex de Minaur, which he eventually won 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-0, Rublev’s emotional rollercoaster was on full display. When questioned by Jim Courier in his on-court interview about his thoughts during competition, the 26-year-old delivered a humorous yet insightful response.
“It is like a scary movie,” Rublev humorously expressed in Melbourne.
Reflecting on the mental turmoil he experiences in high-pressure situations, Rublev elaborated on the complexity of his thoughts during those moments. “It is tough to explain which thoughts you have. You just go crazy emotionally when you’re burned out,” Rublev shared with the ATP website.
He further explained, “You start to think 10 times faster, but you’re not thinking smart. It is like if I tell you, you have five seconds to open your camera, and then you’re stressing that much and you have hundreds of thoughts: What is it, what is it, how to open, how, and in the end, from this simple thing, you get stressed. So that’s what sometimes is happening.”
Currently competing in the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam, Rublev started his campaign with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over qualifier Zizou Bergs. This marks his first tournament since the Australian Open, and the 26-year-old Russian, who previously won the Rotterdam title in 2021, is considered one of the top favorites for this year’s edition.
As the tennis world eagerly watches, it remains to be seen whether Andrey Rublev can secure his second Rotterdam title and continue his impressive form throughout the season.
