Andrey Rublev aims to continue improving in 2021 - UBITENNIS

Andrey Rublev aims to continue improving in 2021

By sampaolo
5 Min Read

Andrey Rublev has one of the best players of the 2020 season with five ATP Tour titles and two Grand Slam quarter finals. 

The 23-year-old Russian player started the year with back-back titles in Doha and Adelaide to become the first man since 2004 with two consecutive titles in the first two weeks of the year since Dominik Hrbaty. 

At the Australian Open he advanced to the fourth round before losing to former junior rival Alexander Zverev to end a 15-match win streak. 

Since the season resumed after the five-month lockdown Rublev won three ATP 500 titles in Hamburg, St. Petersburg and Vienna to earn his spot in the top 10 for the first time in his career. 

Rublev reached the US Open quarter final for the second time in his career before losing to last year’s finalist Danil Medvedev. 

Rublev headed back to Europe and won his third title of the season beating world number 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets to win the biggest title of his career in the Hamburg final. Rublev played in his second consecutive Hamburg final. Last year he lost to Nikoloz Basilashvili in the title match in the German clay tournament. 

Just two days after the Hamburg final and with no time to rest Rublev came back from two sets down to beat Sam Querrey in five sets in a thrilling first round match at Roland Garros. Rublev reached his second consecutive Major quarter final on Paris clay before losing to Tsitsipas in three sets. 

Rublev claimed his fourth title of the year at the St. Petersburg Open defeating Borna Coric in straight sets. In late October the Moscow-native player won his fifth trophy at the Vienna Open beating Italian lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets securing his spot for the ATP Finals for the first time in his career. 

“Qualifying for the ATP Finals is the moment we are playing for and we are working for. I am grateful for everything that I am experiencing, for everything that I have been through. I am grateful for the team that I have and for the friends that are around me because they support me a lot. We have the same vision and they give me a lot of energy. I am where I am today because of them. I have been working very hard. With all the support around me, it gives me double energy and double motivation. I am not alone and when you are not alone, it is much easier and you are much stronger”, said Rublev. 

In his debut at the O2 Arena Rublev lost to Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-4. In the second match against Rublev earned a match point on serve during the third-set tie-break against Tsitsipas, but he double faulted and lost the match 6-1 4-6 7-6 (8-6). 

“I feel happy to be here in London. I was so close in my second match. I had a match point and I I was serving, so it could have a completely different story if I won two matches. I would maybe still have a chance to be in the semifinals. It is a part of life. I just need to keep working and we will see what is going to happen next”. 

Rublev was knocked out from the tournament, but he finished his breakthrough season in style by winning his third match beating Dominic Thiem 6-2 7-5. 

“Although I had no chances to reach the semifinals, every match is important because of those 200 points you can win. It’s more than finishing runner-up in the ATP 250 final. The points will stay on your tally for the entire season, and that’s a massive advantage”. 

Rublev wrapped up the season with an impressive record of 41 match wins. 

“I am grateful for everything that’s happened to me. I won more tournaments this year than the previous years combined. I can still improve my things and that’s the main goal in the off-season. I am motivated to improve the main parts of my game before we start the new season. Physically, I still can be much faster and improve my defense. Among the top-10 players, I am still one of the worst in this aspect. I can improve my serve, volley, return, slice, backhand and forehand”. 

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