"Like Medvedev, I haven't lost since I was 14."

Andrey Rublev had a great week before the Madrid–Rome super Tournament. In Barcelona, where our athlete is based, he managed to reach the ATP 500 finals. He beat Argentine Mariano Navone in the second round, Lorenzo Sonego in the third, Tomas Makhach in the quarterfinals, and Hamad Medjedovic in the semifinals. The Russian beat the first three opponents in two sets, while the Serbian had a protracted three-game match (at the beginning of the meeting, Rublev called a doctor because of a cut on his left arm). The Russian reached the final match of the ATP tournament for the first time since May 2025. Then in Hamburg Andrey lost to Flavio Kobolli in two sets. This time, Rublev also failed to take a single game from Arthur Fis in the final. Andrey failed the first game and lost 5-2 in the second, but then he took four games in a row and almost turned the tide of an unsuccessful match. However, the 21-year-old Frenchman did not allow our tennis player to serve for a set, after which he won the tie-break without any problems.

Despite the defeat, Rublev was satisfied with his performance in the final, and also shared with Izvestia and Sport-Express his opinion about Daniil Medvedev's major defeat in Monte Carlo and his work with world tennis legend Marat Safin.

— You said that Safin creates a relaxed atmosphere, but our other tennis player, Evgeny Donskoy (now a member of Karen Khachanov's team), claims that he is a strict coach, a maximalist, and does not accept simple mistakes. Tell us about your relationship. Have you ever had a snack?

— No, never. If both are ready for an honest conversation, why snack? What's the point when there's respect and you both know how to talk like a man, accept criticism, admit your mistakes, and talk in essence?

In general, it's very easy for me with Marat. There is a connection. From the outside, it may seem that he is speaking harshly — "how can you be so wrong, where are you hitting?!" But there is zero aggression and pressure in this. Now, a year later, I can say that Marat is not tough as a coach at all. It's clear that when I might be stupid, he might actually say, "Andrew, don't go overboard." And if you're adequate, you'll admit, "Yes, I went overboard." And you will move on.

— Madrid is a special place for you. You won a tournament here in 2024 with a cold and fever, beating Carlos Alcaraz, followed by Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Alliassim. Is coming back here a special feeling, or is it just another tournament?

— I came here in a great mood. Madrid is a very nice city, there are a lot of cool places here, I really like it here. And I have many wonderful memories besides the tournament itself. The same Davis Cup, when we played here with the guys in 2019 and 2021. I come to Madrid, and it feels good right away.

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It's clear that thanks to the tournament and the Davis Cup, tennis and Madrid are connected as a whole, but it's great for me to be here outside the tournament. I'm going to the hotel now, I'm going for a walk, I'm going to do something else. I'm trying to get my business done here [at the stadium] as soon as possible and leave right away, not to linger.

— What do you usually do in your free time here?

— I love the place near the hotel where I live. I like the area — there are a lot of cool restaurants, cafes, bars where you can sit and drink coffee in an atmospheric atmosphere. There are many beautiful small parks...

— Congratulations on a great week last week, reaching the final in Barcelona. Did you twist yourself in the decisive match with Arthur Fis?

— On the contrary. I think of all the matches there, I was able to play the best in the final. I played there more casually and riskily. It's just that Arthur was too good at the moment. I need to refine a couple of things in the game so that it turns out differently next time.

— Your friend and even relative Daniil Medvedev, who has a generally good season, defeated everyone 0-6, 0-6 in the first round of Monte Carlo against Matteo Berrettini. Has this ever happened to you? And how does he get out of this emotionally?

— I don't know at all, it's necessary to ask Dani. At least in junior and adult tennis, I didn't have that. I definitely lost one set 0-6, including in the ATP, but two — if only before the age of 12-14. And how long it takes to recover after that, only Dania can say. Maybe he's cool about it. I wouldn't worry about it. And I don't think he cares either.