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Andrey Rublev is going through one of those key moments in the career of an elite tennis player. Having been ranked in the ATP top tier for years, the Russian now acknowledges that he has reached a plateau with his current style and that he needs to reinvent himself to take the next step. This was expressed in an interview for the Nothing Major podcast.
Upon his arrival at the Miami Open 2026, the former world number 5 shared a profound reflection on his evolution, his relationship with the game, and the changes he is trying to implement. Far from rehearsed speeches, Andrey Rublev offered an honest view of his present, characterized by self-criticism, learning, and a new mindset more open to change.
Rublev admits the need to modify his tennis
The most revealing aspect of his statements came when analyzing his own game, where Rublev was particularly self-critical. “I feel that with my basic style, relying almost solely on my forehand and lacking a plan B, I have already reached my limit,” confessed the Russian.
This reflection marks a turning point in his career. “I believe I squeezed everything I could to reach the top 5,” explained Rublev. “Now it’s time to try changing things and see if that gives me an extra push,” he added, acknowledging the risk involved in altering his identity as a player.
Rublev described his current evolution as a work in progress, where he is still trying to fit all the pieces of his game together. “I feel like I’m missing completing the puzzle,” stated the Russian, using a metaphor that summarizes his situation well. The issue, as he explained, lies not so much in execution but in decision-making.
“Sometimes I do things, but not at the right moment,” he pointed out. “I come to the net when I shouldn’t or I don’t know when to change directions,” he added, acknowledging the lack of automation in these new resources. For Rublev, this process requires time and experience. “When you start doing it recently, many times you decide randomly,” he explained. “It takes time until you really understand it,” he affirmed.
Safin, key to enjoying a challenging process
One of the significant changes in his mindset has been how he approaches this transition. Rublev admitted that for a long time, he was resistant to changing his style. “Before it was very hard for me, I didn’t want to change,” he confessed.
His confidence in his forehand was unwavering, although over time, he understood its limitations. “I thought that with my forehand alone, I would never fail,” he explained. “But when I realized that doesn’t exist, I decided to try something different,” he added. Now, however, he is starting to enjoy that process. “I’m starting to enjoy the change,” stated the Russian, showing an evolution also at a mental level.
In this transformation process, the presence of Marat Safin has been crucial. Rublev especially highlighted the emotional impact Safin has had on the team.
“Working with Safin helps a lot,” he stated. “He brings calmness and maturity,” explained the Russian, valuing a profile very different from his own. “Just having him there makes me feel calmer, as if everything will go well,” he confessed. Additionally, he emphasized the personal change that the former world number one has undergone. “He is very different from how he was when he played; he has changed a lot,” stated Andrey Rublev, who will debut at the Miami Open 2026 against Alejandro Tabilo.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rublev: “Con mi estilo de juego, ya he alcanzado mi límite”
