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Andrey Rublev reveals why he slammed his racquet into his knee six times
The incident came during his clash with Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz
The world No 5 would go on to lose the match against the 20-year-old star
Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev reveals why he slammed his racquet into his knee six times during his defeat to Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz last month.
After being overturned 7-5 in the opening set, the Russian world No 5 cut an increasingly pent-up figure as he crashed his racquet into the court after missing a shot to hand Alcaraz break point in the first game of the second.
Missing the decisive shot and being broken by Alcaraz, the 26-year-old chose to punish himself, bringing the racquet down again and again until his kneecap was bloodied.
An emotional Rublev was then tended to by members of his team during the break between games, and continued play with the wound continuing to weep.
Nick Kyrgios, who is notoriously known for his outbursts during a match, was also shocked by Rublev’s reaction and even offered to help the Russian personally with his mentality.
Andrey Rublev reveals why he slammed his racquet into his knee six times against Carlos Alcaraz
Andrey Rublev vented his frustration during his ATP Finals clash with Carlos Alcaraz by hitting his racquet against his knee six times
Andrey Rublev vented his frustration during his ATP Finals clash with Carlos Alcaraz by hitting his racquet against his knee six times
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Rublev, 26, has since admitted that he would rather hit himself than hit the court during these moments of madness.
Speaking to Championat, Rublev said: ‘I’m very selective – it’s hard for me to find rackets that I like,’ Rublev said.
‘Even if they are the same, out of 15 rackets only two or three will suit me. Because of this, I feel sorry for hitting them on the court again, because if they break, then I have to look for them again. And that can take a long time, so I hit the knees and not the court.’
The world No 5 reveals he hit himself out of resentment and did it to try and wake him up.
‘Secondly, sometimes I have such strong resentment towards myself that I no longer know what else to do to give myself a sign that it’s time to wake up.
‘At such moments, I kind of try to tell myself, ‘Wake up! Half the match has already passed and you haven’t done anything.’
‘All this leads to this outburst of anger. And immediately after this outburst I feel guilty because I am again stepping on the same racket.
‘Because all these crazy people are not needed at all, they don’t help me in any way, I understand that. But at the moment I just don’t know what else to do to reach myself.’
The world No 5 cut a disconsolate figure as he was tended to by his team during the break
Unfortunately for the Russian, his outburst wasn’t enough to spur him on and secure a dramatic comeback
Alcaraz, who won the Wimbledon title earlier this summer, was able to waltz away with the victory in their first career meeting in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2.
The tie was Rublev’s second in Turin, and second defeat after losing to his compatriot and close friend Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 in his tournament opener.
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