Losing as the sixth seed in the third round of a Grand Slam tournament is enough to trigger anyone’s inner rage. Andrey Rublev just happens to run a lot hotter than most. I’m sure his extreme self-criticism and self-evident burning desire to succeed on the court has helped fuel his rise to the highest level of men’s tennis. At 26 years old, though, the irascible Russian is running out of time to get his temperament in check.
Rublev fell to Matteo Arnaldi on Friday in a disappointing 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-4 defeat. Once that first-set tiebreaker went Arnaldi’s way, things just kept spiraling for Rublev to the point where there was a fully deserved, three-minute cutup of all his hissy fits. See it for yourself in all of its, ahem, glory?
It was an afternoon to forget for Andrey Rublev at Roland-Garros 😬💥#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/U0ou2C16Ca
— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 31, 2024
Not a happy day at the office for Andrey Rublev 😡 pic.twitter.com/sbhuW4DPkg
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) May 31, 2024
Archaeologists at work at #rolandgarros
Rublev & Engzell pic.twitter.com/Y2PQhOVDUj
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) May 31, 2024
Rampant racket slams, wicked screams at the chair umpire, blood-boiling frustration at points that didn’t go his way, and any number of other outbursts had viewers legitimately concerned for Rublev’s well-being.
It’s almost tough to even watch Rublev self destruct.
Throwing rackets, kicking things.
About to go two sets down pic.twitter.com/qT5B2B9x9g
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 31, 2024
Rublev's behaviour is really dangerous out there. This is not normal. He has thrown his racket 15 times on the last two points. Also had two huge tantrums which even distraught his opponent.
— Alex | Tennis 🎾 (@Alex_Boroch) May 31, 2024
This is really concerning for Rublev, hope he gets the help he needs because he seems such a nice guy off the court with a heart of gold… pic.twitter.com/QAjorl7doz
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) May 31, 2024
You can tell that, unlike other high-caliber stars who’ve been classless on and off the court in the past, Rublev is generally beloved as a personality by tennis fans when he’s not competing.
Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev writes "No war please" on the camera following his advancement to the final in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/GQe8d01rTd
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 25, 2022
This French Open setback is a bad look, and yet another instance of Rublev not getting over the hump in a major event, but it could be the wake-up call he needs to change his ways. Part of me is wildly entertained by his antics. Another part is concerned. Surely people in Rublev’s camp have addressed his anger and made it known how unacceptable it is. Kind of a red flag that he can’t shut that rage monster off.
It’s hard to believe that Rublev hasn’t made it past the quarterfinals in any Grand Slam start since going that deep at the US Open all the way back in 2017. He’s gone that far 10 times across the four majors. Never advanced to a semifinal. There’s no question Rublev has the talent to lift one of those trophies someday if he gets his behavior in line. You just have to wonder at this point if the light will ever go on for him.
Not to dwell too much on the negative here. Let’s celebrate Arnaldi for earning Shot of the Day honors from at Roland Garros with an absolutely filthy volley on an angle Rublev wasn’t ready for. And wouldn’t you know it, Rublev actually kept his composure after this lost point!
Matteo Arnaldi is LIGHTNING ⚡️
The Shot of the Day belongs to the Italian for this breathtaking winner! 😮💨 #RolandGarros @mattearnalds pic.twitter.com/tGQND2ohFk
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2024
