Rublev: “The level is back, but I don’t know why”
After a four-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon, Andrey Rublev reflected on a match that showcased his returning form – despite the defeat.
Andrey Rublev, Wimbledon 2025 | © Chryslène Caillaud / Panoramic
Andrey Rublev left the court at Wimbledon with a mixture of frustration and hope, following a tightly contested match against the double defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, a match that revealed both his improving form and his lingering challenges. “The level is there,” the Russian said, reflecting on a performance that saw moments of brilliance undone by sudden lapses. “But I don’t know [why]. If I knew, it would be much easier for all of us to always be in good form.”
“I don’t remember myself playing at this kind of level for a while,” Rublev added, comparing his recent form to Madrid last year – one of the two Masters 1000 titles he has won in his career. “If I’m able to keep it that way, for sure sooner or later something better will happen.”
For most of the match, Rublev traded blows with a top opponent on even terms, taking the opening set and carving out opportunities in the second and third (6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4). Yet, as he acknowledged, at critical moments his focus slipped and games were lost.
“Every set I drop a bit for one game – the focus, everything,” he admitted. “In the second set, I lost my serve without him doing anything: mistake back, mistake back, double fault. Then it’s 5-3 in a second.”
This kind of harsh self-critique is typical of Rublev, whose emotional intensity has long been a defining trait, for better and worse. But during the press conference, Rublev showed growing self-awareness, admitting that disappointment often leads to such brutal analysis.
“I’m learning to be kinder to myself. That’s why today I was able to stay super positive, to fight until the end without saying a word.”
Rublev : “Like a puzzle”
He also recognized his opponent’s consistency: “He was able to keep focus the whole match without dropping anything.” But Rublev found encouragement in his own game as well.
Asked why his level now resembles the one he had when he was firmly in the Top 10 and contending for a Top 5 spot, the protégé of Galo Blanco admitted he didn’t really know. He eventually pointed to a better mindset, more focused thoughts, and a sense of progress that “started to be like a puzzle.”
Even as the match turned against him, Rublev gave credit to Alcaraz while acknowledging his own role in key turning points. “On the break point, he played an unbelievable shot, unbelievable passing. But I was in a good position, and I didn’t make it. That’s the difference with this type of player.”
After reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon – following another fourth round at Roland-Garros and a first-round exit in Melbourne, Rublev, 14th in the rankings before Wimbledon, is poised to return to the Top 10. “I feel something is coming,” he said. “I just need to keep it.”
Rublev is finding form at the right time: he has 1150 points to defend over the next two months, nearly 40% of his current total.
