Andrey Rublev’s initial contest at the Monte-Carlo Masters proved more challenging than his final score indicated. The reigning champion encountered a shoulder problem early on but persevered, ultimately securing a tough victory against Nuno Borges. However, his candid post-match comments overshadowed the outcome.The Russian athlete later confessed the discomfort was severe enough to make him contemplate retiring during the match. Despite this, he opted to persist, using medical attention and analgesics to remain competitive. His statements have subsequently sparked concerns regarding his physical condition for the remainder of the competition.
Andrey Rublev triumphs over Nuno Borges despite battling pain, sparking fitness worries
The match commenced with Andrey Rublev appearing somewhat uneasy. Approximately halfway through the opening set, he started experiencing shoulder pain during his serve. Shortly thereafter, he requested an off-court medical timeout to address the problem.Despite his ailment, Rublev re-entered the match and clinched the first set 6-4. Nevertheless, the second set saw a rapid shift in momentum. His agility and precision declined, allowing Nuno Borges to capitalize and secure the set 6-1.At that juncture, it seemed improbable that Rublev could carry on. Yet, he maintained his composure and concentrated on completing the encounter. Surprisingly, in the decisive set, he rediscovered his form and sealed it 6-1. Post-match, Rublev candidly expressed his thoughts, stating,“Obviously, I think today was exactly a mental victory for me, because in one moment, I thought, okay, it’s done. And then I was able to kind of, okay, let’s just accept it, let’s just kind of trust.”He further added, “In the end, somehow, out of nowhere, I start to feel better. I was able to fight again, to play better, and in the end, I was able to win a match.”Rublev also detailed when the pain initially manifested. He stated, “When I came back from the changeover at 4-3, when I went for a serve, I start to feel it a little bit. After the first serve that I did, I start to feel it much more.”Then came the remark that drew everyone’s attention. Discussing his pain management, he quipped with a laugh, “The body feeling? I don’t know, because I took a horse dose of painkillers and a medical timeout.”Presently, uncertainty looms over his upcoming fixture against Zizou Bergs. Rublev himself confessed he is unsure of his body’s potential reaction in the subsequent hours.This marks another instance of Rublev’s strong performance in Monte-Carlo. He claimed the championship here in 2023 and has demonstrated impressive showings in previous seasons. However, at this moment, his primary adversary isn’t his opponent, but rather his own physical condition.