Andrey Rublev will be desperate to make 2026 better than the last.
However, it will not take much for the Russian to manage this, given just how disappointing he has been over the last 11 months.
Whenever the 28-year-old steps onto a court, fireworks are expected.
He has a thunderous play style and an even more explosive personality, which can often boil over should things not go his way.
What is your bold prediction for the 2026 tennis season?
And, given his continued inability to surpass the quarter-finals at Grand Slams, that happens more often than he’d care to admit.
Fortunately, with Marat Safin by his side, Andrey Rublev is expected to continue progressing in the right direction. The latest update from his off-season training camp certainly highlights the work being put in behind the scenes.
Andrey Rublev admits he’s had a gruelling off-season
Speaking with Greg Rusedski on his new podcast, Off Court with Greg, Rublev admitted that their new training regime was ‘killing’ him, such was the toughness.
However, being able to head to Australia feeling fit and fresh, knowing he’s put the work in, will hopefully provide the necessary edge to give him the perfect start to the new season.
He admitted: “For me, it’s crazy because now with Marat and members of my team, they are killing me.
“I can’t remember another year when they have done this to me. It is fitness to begin with for two and a half hours. Then it is tennis for two hours, and he is killing me.
“No mistakes from the baseline, high intensity from the baseline until you make it. This push is all for me. It is always about yourself.”
Andrey Rublev should be challenging for Grand Slam titles
Rublev has often been slammed for his on-court outbursts, with many citing it as an ugly trait that clouds his judgment.
However, this is not the only reason why he continually fails when fighting for major honours.
Last year, he reached the fourth round of three Grand Slam titles, marking a solid return.
But with ten quarter-finals to his name, and not a single semi-final, there is a clear mental block that’s preventing him from taking that crucial next step.
Working hard in the off-season is all well and good, but if he does not sharpen his mentality, it will be a fruitless exercise.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
Fortunately, Rublev has spoken about his efforts to improve in that area.
With one of the best forehands on tour, among many other sparkling traits, he should be challenging for major titles.
Hopefully, he can put together a run or two in 2026 to prove why that is the case.
