“No player should go through this”: Andrey Rublev praises Jannik Sinner's poise amid doping scandal

Andrey Rublev spoke about Jannik Sinner's doping case, expressing his amazement at how the World No. 1 managed to handle the controversy while maintaining an incredibly high level of performance. The 27-year-old Russian also criticised the current rules, stating they are "more strict than other sports" and hopes for changes in the future.

Rublev finished within the top 8 for the fifth consecutive season, securing two titles, including his second Masters 1000 crown in Madrid Open. Earlier in the year, he reached the Australian Open quarterfinals and was the runner-up at the Canadian Open in midseason.

During his journey to the final in Montreal, Rublev achieved his most notable win of the year by upsetting Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. It was only Sinner's fifth loss of the season, as the Italian dominated the Tour in 2024.

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"I'm one of the worst players at the net"

Rublev remains a mainstay in the higher rankings and consistently a favourite, at least on paper, in tournaments. However, he still trails players like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the leading contenders in major events, which relegates Rublev to a secondary role in the biggest tournaments.

The Russian has reached 10 Grand Slam quarterfinals but has yet to advance to a semifinal. Looking ahead to 2025, Rublev has another opportunity to prove he can take the next step, but he will undoubtedly need to challenge players like Sinner and Alcaraz if he aims to contend for the most prestigious titles.

Andrey Rublev at 2024 Madrid Open.

Rublev explained the key areas where he still lags behind Sinner and Alcaraz and how he is working to close the gap: "The main aspect is, of course, mental, but there are many elements of my game [to improve]. I'm in the top 10, but I'm one of the worst players at the net!" he said. "The other players in the top 10 manage to hit shots from difficult positions; mine sometimes go out of the court.”

“So I try to work on these kinds of details, dedicating more time to them than before. In the past, I was only obsessed with my forehand; today, I'm a bit more open to working on other aspects during practice."

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Rublev reflects on Sinner’s success during controversy

Additionally, Rublev commented on the recent doping case involving Jannik Sinner. The World No. 8 expressed sympathy for Sinner's situation and admiration for the Italian's ability to continue achieving excellent results despite the intense media pressure surrounding him.

"You can’t wish for any player to go through that. I can’t imagine the stress or anxiety he felt during that time," Rublev claimed. "He handled it very well, continued playing his best tennis, and dominated the Tour despite everything, winning titles. It’s very impressive."

Rublev also criticised the current anti-doping rules, highlighting how difficult it is for players not to make mistakes that could jeopardise their careers. "I think the anti-doping system should be a little more understandable. In tennis, the rules are super strict, more than in other sports. I feel like every small mistake, even if unintentional, can threaten your career."