It is frequently said that “a week is a long time in tennis”. Another oft-repeated statement is that each week presents a new opportunity.
Andrey Rublev discovered the truth of both statements during a restorative campaign at the Madrid Masters.
Arriving in the Spanish capital on a four-match losing streak and battling a concerning array of physical ailments, Rublev powered to his second ATP Masters 1000 crown and completely altered the trajectory of his season.
A 4-6 7-5 7-5 triumph in the final over Felix Auger-Aliassime – another resurgent player in Madrid – delivered Rublev his 16th title, and perhaps the most meaningful one of his career.
A fortnight ago his position in the top 10 appeared increasingly fraught. But just three weeks out from Roland Garros, he’s suddenly among the game’s most in-form players on clay.
“Now looks like clay season been so good to me, even though the last two clay tournaments I lost first round,” said Rublev, last year’s Monte Carlo Masters winner.
“I think it’s normal to have up and downs. This season I started really well and I was playing amazing, then somehow I start to do a bit worse… a couple of weeks were completely that I could not win a match.
“My focus was not to feel if when I will go back to normal, or what is normal. For me (it) was just to keep working, keep trying to improve, because in one moment I will have a chance, and as soon as I will have a chance I will need to use it, because this week will change everything.
“In the end, it happened here.”
Rublev was ranked in the top five in early 2024 and began the season extremely brightly, winning his first eight matches – a run including the Hong Kong title and a trip to the Australian Open quarterfinals.
Yet after beating Andy Murray at Indian Wells, Rublev lost eight consecutive sets in four defeats to players outside the top 30.
Many believe he was profoundly affected by his Dubai semifinal default, which came following an outburst at a line-judge.
His approach to matches in Madrid hinted at a player transformed, especially evident during his quarterfinal upset of two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
“I think the key was I was completely calm the whole match. I did not say one word, even if I was losing,” he said.
That was impressive on its own, but as Rublev beat Taylor Fritz in the semifinals then rebounded to overcame Auger-Aliassime in the final, the magnitude of his achievement became apparent.
Rublev revealed in an interview with Sky Sports Tennis that he’d been battling illness and ailments. Firstly, a virus, which later affected his throat and forced him to eat pureed food and required an injection. He then developed toe inflammation which affected the bone, causing pain even when putting his feet in shoes. He needed an anaesthetic to compete.
Counterintuitively, these struggles assisted him on court. Unable to worry about extraneous variables or expend valuable energy, he could only focus on playing tennis.
“It was a fairytale week,” he said. “I’m so negative about myself always, but (for) the first time I feel so proud of myself.”
Back up to world No.6, Rublev’s form spike comes at an uncertain time in the men’s game, during which there are question marks over many of his rivals.
Top four stars Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev all departed Madrid injured, and Alcaraz and Sinner have since withdrawn from Rome. This is where Novak Djokovic will return to action, but the world No.1 – soon to turn 37 – has played just two tournaments since the Australian Open.
Rublev, perhaps at his best on clay given his two biggest trophies have come on the surface, is also a two-time quarterfinalist at Roland Garros.
He could be rounding into form at just the right time for a strong push in Paris.
“For sure (this is) the best mental performance for a title, that I won a title,” Rublev told Tennis Channel of his Madrid victory.
“I did some good performances in a mental way, but I didn’t win a title. Like Slams; Wimbledon last year, or Australian Open this year.
“I was playing for sure great tennis (to win Monte Carlo last year), but not like now.
“Now I’m playing much better, so for sure I feel stronger.”