‘I feel like that is what I’m missing’ Andrey Rublev reveals plan to win Grand Slams
World number eight Andrey Rublev has admitted he needs to “be more positive and professional” if he is to achieve success in the prestigious Grand Slam events.
The Russian has had a strong 2022 season so far with three titles to his name – most recently coming at the Serbia Open in Belgrade last week when he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic in the final.
Only Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz have tasted success as often as the 24-year-old this season.
However despite eleven titles and over 200 wins to his name on the ATP circuit, it is at the Grand Slam events where the Rublev comes up short.
Out of 18 Grand Slam main draw appearances, he has reached the quarter-finals only four times.
In addition, Rublev has an extremely poor record at the French Open. In three appearances at Roland Garros, Andrey Rublev has has only won four matches.
In a recent interview, Rublev reflected on his underwhelming Grand Slam record believing he must become a more complete and professional player and tame his temper if he his to claim his first ever Grand Slam title.
“Sometimes I watch videos and I think ‘what am I doing?’ I am trying to eradicate those things from my game.
“I want to be more professional and more positive on the court. I feel like that is what I am missing in order to reach the next level.
“I cannot allow myself to waste time and energy on the nonsense I sometimes do, it is better to focus on the game itself and to fight for every ball.”
Rublev also went on to discuss his lack of composure in high pressure situations believing he needs to work on the mental side of his game.
“Some players do not play aggressively, but they give you balls that are pretty difficult to attack – sometimes, I lack those kinds of shots in my game.
“Furthermore, I need to have more confidence coming forward. There are a lot of rallies where I get a shorter ball and I do not come to the net because I am uncertain.
“Or I do come, but you can see I do not feel that comfortable. I need to break that barrier in my head because I feel I can get more points that way.
“Also, I need for my second serve to be faster. It would be a huge advantage, since it would be harder to break me.
“In part, that is mental as well, because in practice I hit second serves harder and I rarely make double faults.
“But in the match, when I feel pressure, sometimes I am afraid to go for it, particularly when it is 30–30 or break point or advantage.
“Then I just push the ball in order to start the point. I need to say to myself ‘just do it’.”
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