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.
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."
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."