Russian star Andrey Rublev entered the French Open as a strong contender following his recent victory at the Madrid Open. However, his campaign at Roland-Garros came to an unexpected and emotional end with a surprising loss to Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the round of 32 on Saturday morning AEST.
Rublev, who was considered one of the biggest threats in the men’s draw, lost control during his straight sets defeat. His frustration was evident as he threw tantrums throughout the match, including smashing his knee with his racquet, berating his coaching box, and leaving a dent in the courtside bench after kicking it.
The troubles began when Rublev lost a set point in the opening frame. His day worsened when he got into an argument with umpire Lazemar Engzell over a disputed line call. This incident seemed to unsettle him further, affecting his focus and gameplay.
The second set saw Rublev’s temper flare up even more. After dropping serve, he furiously smashed his racquet into the clay and directed angry rants towards his team. During the subsequent changeover, he damaged the courtside bench in another display of frustration.
Rublev’s emotions peaked in the third set. In a moment of intense self-criticism, he turned the abuse onto himself, smashing his knee with his racquet and slapping himself in the face. This culmination of events underscored the pressure and emotional strain he was under.
Rublev’s loss to Arnaldi marks a significant upset at Roland-Garros, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the tournament and the emotional challenges faced by top athletes. The Russian player’s exit serves as a reminder of the mental fortitude required to compete at the highest levels of tennis.
Andrey Rublev in 2024
Ranked no.6, the Russian played his last match on the 31st of May when he was overcome by world no.35 Matteo Arnaldi 7-6(6) 6-2 6-4 in the 3rd round of the French Open (draw).
Currently, during this season the Russian has an overall 24-10 match record. Rublev conquered 2 titles in 2024 in Hong Kong and Madrid.
Rublev will compete next in Halle (Terra Wortmann Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 17th of June.