Marat Safin has outlined what he expects from Andrey Rublev as Safin prepares to make his coaching debut over the clay court season.
The former world number one is set to take charge of Rublev for the clay court season as the world number nine looks to turn his form around.
In the UTS exhibition event Safin oversaw his first match as Rublev’s coach where he defeated Ben Shelton.
At one of the changeovers Safin was asked what he expects from Rublev and this was his response, “Everything depends on him,” Safin was quoted by tennistemple as saying.
“I can show him the way, but he’ll have to walk it himself because it won’t happen magically. You have to chart your own path, and everything will depend on him. We’ll see how things develop in the coming weeks, but I believe he has the will to do well. For how long? I don’t know—you’ll have to ask him.”
It’s clear that Safin has high expectations of Rublev who has had an underwhelming start to the season.
Speaking before the UTS event in Nimes Rublev spoke about the appointment of Safin and what he brings to his coaching set-up, “He’s been through many things in his life, plus on top of that he knows me since I was little and I know him all my life,” Rublev was quoted by tennis.com as saying.
“I think he can help me, but I cannot be specific because we only started to work like three days (ago). We will see after a couple of months.”
Safin will make his official coaching debut next week at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.
Rublev’s 2025 Season So Far
ATP Hong Kong: R2 (l. Marozsan)
Australian Open: R1 (l. Fonseca)
ATP Montpellier: Semi-Final (l. Kovacevic)
ATP Rotterdam: Quarter-Final (l. Hurkacz)
ATP Doha: Champion
ATP Dubai: R1 (l. Halys)
ATP Indian Wells: R2 (l. Arnaldi)
ATP Miami: R2 (l. Bergs)
