Andrey Rublev about Safin Marath: “He has inspired me since childhood” | ATP Tour

Reportage

Rublev about Safin: “He has inspired me since childhood”

The world No. 9 talks about the incorporation of old No. 1 to your team

April 07, 2025

Andrey Rublev does not know how much time he will have on his team to Marath Safin, a member of the prestigious club of the No. 1 of the ATP. But what does ensure No. 9 of the PIF ATP Rankings, as explained at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, is that it will take advantage of that time to the fullest.

“First of all, Marath is someone who has inspired me since I was a child. Then, obviously, he knows me since I was little and I know him since I was a child, and then I met him better,” Rublev said. “It’s an incredible person and has gone through many difficult things.”

“He had his problems that he was overcoming and I was always afraid to ask him about those things, but inside he had always wanted,” Rublev added. “In the end, when I learned that I was prepared and I was looking for perhaps working in tennis, it was how it is worth, I have to try, at least. Maybe it’s not me, but at least I have to ask.”

Rublev’s agent, Galo Blanco, played five times with Safin with a lexus ATP Head2head in which the old No. 1 won four times. His coach for years, Fernando Vicente, also played against Safin twice, so there is a lot of familiarity between Rublev and Safin’s team.

“For him it was nice to work with someone who already knows the team very well,” Rublev warned. “I think it was also helpful.”

How long will Safin’s collaboration last, who has just started his job with Rublev on the whipped earth tour?

“I hope that for a long time, but then it depends on whether he enjoys work with me or suffers,” Rublev said. “Because I think that if I feel that I am not hacienda things or I do not listen to him, I do not think he wasting his time.”

Rublev, who will play in the second round of Montecarlo in front of Gael Monfils, is delighted to work with the 15 -title ATP Tour champion. He is focused on listening to his team and trying to learn.

“For now, I’m trying to listen and try new things,” said Rublev. “We will see how it goes, or what will hold, or what happens.”