Victorious Rublev happy and relieved after winning title on “stressful” UTS debut in Frankfurt

The Russian was delighted to win but admitted he was a little lucky in the final

Tennis Majors/UTS

September 18, 2023

Everything feels better when you win a title and usually makes up for the pain involved in getting there in the first place. For Andrey Rublev, winning on his UTS debut in Frankfurt at the weekend was as much a relief as it was joy.

The Russian, volatile on the court at the best of times, found the innovative format, with four quarters of eight minutes, one serve only and 15 seconds between points, tough to handle but he still managed to make class show as he won the title, beating Grigor Dimitrov in the final on Sunday.

“The format, it’s true, it’s stressful,” said the world No 6. “But I’m happy that I won it in the end, so not much to say.

Rublev: “It was just about luck”

Dimitrov, a late replacement for Daniil Medvedev in the eight-man event, played brilliantly over the weekend and could consider himself unlucky not to come out on top, having led for much of the time against Rublev.

And the Russian said he was fortunate to come through to take the title.

“It was just about luck because two quarters he was winning and in the last seconds, basically, I stole it,” he said. “Maybe if we played the same match (another time) it will be completely opposite because here everything can happen and everything can change in eight minutes.”

Rublev heading to Laver Cup, eyes on Turin

Rublev said he would not have time to celebrate his victory as he heads immediately to Canada to play for Team Europe against Team USA in the Laver Cup.

“They are lucky that the games start on Friday, but still you have to arrive to Canada, which is different continent and time difference,” he said.

Rublev said he would then head to China for the Asian swing, including the Shanghai Masters 1000 event, but his sights are clearly set on ending the year on a high, by making the ATP Finals in Turin.

“Of course, let’s try to get into Turin and then we will see if I can make it or not,” he said.