Wimbledon | Rublev crashes

Andrey Rublev became the top seed in the men’s event, but suffered a humiliating defeat in the first round of this year’s championships.

I don’t know why I couldn’t handle it at that moment. I had to let my emotions run free. Andrei Rublev

The sixth-seeded Russian went down 6-4 5-7 6-2 7-6(5) on court 2 to Argentina’s Francisco Comesana, narrowly avoiding a hefty fine by hitting his racket against his leg instead of the ground in frustration over his performance. And in the end, he drew blood!

It is the first time since Roland Garros in 2021 that he has lost in the opening round of a major tournament and he is now likely to fall even further in the rankings after reaching the quarterfinals last year.

The Russian has not yet managed to control his anger, and he is well aware of that problem.

“That’s the biggest problem I need to improve,” Rublev admitted.

“Of course I didn’t behave as I did in Paris, but I can do much better. This is not the way.”

“The main priority is to be positive throughout the match.”

Rublev admitted that he was “a bit lucky” that he didn’t harm himself, explaining that he felt compelled to do what he did to give his emotions free rein.

“I wouldn’t do it if I could hit the racket on the ground. Because we’re not allowed to hit on the grass. I don’t know why, at that moment I couldn’t handle it anymore. I had to let my emotions out,” he explained.

Asked if he watched videos of himself getting frustrated on the pitch, the 26-year-old said he didn’t, adding that it takes “process and time” to improve.