Andrey Rublev pictured – Photo Getty Images
Andrey Rublev he won the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open title in what he himself calls an “absolutely miraculous tournament”. The Russian tennis player, currently number six in the world, had to deal with several physical problems during the week, including an illness that has afflicted him for several days and for which he still does not have a clear diagnosis.
Despite the difficulties, Rublev managed to express an excellent level of play from the first match, culminating in the final victory. “I feel happy, I feel relief, happiness. I couldn’t have done better in this last week and a half,” the Russian said at the press conference.
In addition to the general malaise, Rublev had to deal with problems with his finger and foot, for which he had to resort to local anesthesia. “When they swell, the pressure goes to the bone and you can’t even fit your foot into the shoe. The sensation is similar to when it is broken,” explained the tennis player.
Despite everything, Rublev did not lose focus during the tournament and showed great character. Now, however, the priority is to recover in view of the Italian Internationals: “I am still ill, in fact tomorrow I will go to hospital to undergo complete checks. I don’t know exactly what’s happening, because I’ve been sick for eight or nine days, it’s not normal. I haven’t had any improvement, which is strange, the most I had been sick before was two or three days. It’s the first time I’ve felt so bad in my life. I’m not sure what it is, my throat and nose are red and stuffy, it’s impossible to swallow, impossible to eat and I have a headache because of it.”
Rublev highlighted how this is the first time in his life that he has felt so bad for a prolonged period. The symptoms described are particularly annoying and disabling: a red throat, the inability to swallow and eat, and persistent headaches.
Despite these problems, Rublev managed to play a top-level tournament, demonstrating great willpower and a remarkable ability to manage physical difficulties. However, the tennis player is aware of the need to delve deeper into the causes of his illness and has announced that he will undergo complete medical checks to shed light on his health condition.
The Russian also commented on the ups and downs of his season, calling them “normal” during a long and busy year. The victory in Madrid, in any case, changes the prospects: “Now it seems that the clay season has been good for me, even if I lost in the first round in the last two weeks.”
A success, that of Rublev, which demonstrates how determination and willpower can allow you to overcome even the most complicated moments. Now the sights are set on the next event, the Italian Internationals, where the Russian will try to be in 100% form to aim for another important result.
Francesco Paolo Villarico
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