"Made me realize everything" - Andrey Rublev credits Marat Safin for guidance during mental health struggles; discloses talking to him after Wimbledon
Andrey Rublev is known for the occasional outburst on court, but if the Russian’s words are anything to go by, Marat Safin has helped him channel his emotions better. The two caught up after the conclusion of Wimbledon this year.
Rublev, who was left with a bleeding knee after he repeatedly hit himself with his racket during his first-round loss at the grass Slam, said he has been making the conscious effort to get help in managing his emotions.
Responding to a question on mental health during his post-match conference at the Canadian Open, Rublev said he was earlier trying to figure things out himself and tried a bunch of psychologists.
He, however, revealed that it was a candid chat with compatriot and two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin that helped him a lot.
"Everything. I was trying to figure out a lot by myself," Andrey Rublev said. "I was trying to figure out those things a lot with a different psychologist, with a different courses, but who helped me a lot and he make me realize everything is Marat Safin."
"How funny it sounds, but it's true. He's the one, yeah, who helped me. After Wimbledon we had a really nice talk. Yeah, he helped me a lot, so big thanks to him," he added.
"I hope I learn" - Andrey Rublev on managing his emotions better
Andrey Rublev, who beat World No. 1 Jannik Sinner en route to the Canadian Open final, expressed hope in learning to manage his emotions better as he matures as a player.
The 26-year-old said he wants to be more aware of the choices he makes on court and being at ease with the feeling or emotions that trigger them.
"I mean, the one thing I guess I hope I learn and I would like to learn when I was more younger is to... how you say this... to do everything [with] awareness," Andrey Rublev said. "Like any decision you take or any feeling you are feeling or emotions, to be awareness of that, where exactly it's coming from, why, and to be awareness that it's your decision," he added.
"...most of the people put this in your head and you kind of thinking that way, but you are not understanding that it's not really your opinion or because they educate you that way or something," he added.
Rublev will take on Alexei Popyrin in the summit clash of the Canadian Open. The Aussie beat the likes of Ben Shelton, Grigor Dimitrov and Hubert Hurkacz to make his first ATP Masters 1000 final.
"So to be awareness of each step, each feeling you are having, to make sure it's your own because when you're living the life how you would like, you feel much better. That's it," the Russian said.