Andrey Rublev’s journey at the Canadian Open has brought renewed focus on his recent form and the anticipated return of his esteemed coach, Marat Safin, a subject of considerable interest within the tennis community and a prominent topic in recent Tennis News.
Following an early exit at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, Andrey Rublev arrived at the Canadian Open, seeded sixth, eager to elevate his performance. His opening match in Toronto saw him secure a straight-sets victory, advancing him to a third-round encounter against Lorenzo Sonego. This significant win also marked his 250th career hard-court victory, showcasing his consistent progression on the ATP Tour.
Amidst his campaign, Andrey Rublev addressed the curious absence of two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Marat Safin from his coaching team during the North American swing. Safin had initially joined Rublev’s coaching setup ahead of the European clay court season, marking his first significant involvement in professional tennis since his retirement in 2009.
Andrey Rublev provided an update on Marat Safin’s potential return, indicating that his coach is “doing well” and expressing hope for his presence at the upcoming US Open Tennis tournament. However, this is contingent on Safin successfully obtaining his visa on time. Should visa complications persist, Rublev anticipates Safin’s return later in the year, specifically during the Asian tour in China.
Marat Safin’s strategic guidance is particularly noteworthy given Andrey Rublev’s earlier struggles this year, where he experienced a challenging period between February and May. During this time, his ranking saw a dip, and his win-loss record was 2-7 across seven events, highlighting the importance of strong coaching support within the competitive ATP Tour.
Since the period leading up to Roland Garros, Andrey Rublev has demonstrated a remarkable turnaround in form, achieving a 13-6 record over his last seven tournaments. This resurgence includes a notable final appearance at the Hamburg Open and consecutive fourth-round showings at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, signaling a significant improvement in his game, widely reported in Tennis News.
The Canadian Open, which alternates annually between Toronto and Montreal, finds itself in Toronto this season. Andrey Rublev, however, openly expressed a preference for Montreal’s playing conditions, describing them as “playable” and conducive to longer rallies, requiring more thought and physical exertion, while also allowing for easier ball control. This perspective offers insight into his strategic approach to different court surfaces on the ATP Tour.
