Andrey Rublev continued his strong start to 2022 by sealing the Serbia Open title in Belgrade after defeating world number one Novak Djokovic in the final.
Rublev took the first set 6-2 against Djokovic, but the Serbian player bounced back with a 7-6 win in set two. However, the Russian produced a stunning display in the decisive set, winning 6-0.
Following the victory, Rublev joins Spanish duo Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz as the only ATP players to notch three titles in 2022. Despite sealing three title wins this season, the Russian player honestly assessed where he needs to improve to become even more consistent.
"Sometimes I watch videos and I think ‘what am I doing?’ I am trying to eradicate those things from my game. I want to be more professional and more positive on the court."
"I feel like that is what I am missing in order to reach the next level. I cannot allow myself to waste time and energy on the nonsense I sometimes do, it is better to focus on the game itself and to fight for every ball."
Even though he is one of the most consistent players on the ATP Tour, Rublev is yet to win an ATP 1000 Masters or Grand Slam title. The Russian came close twice last season, reaching finals at the Monte-Carlo and Cincinnati Masters before falling in the final match.
In a further breakdown of his game, Rublev highlighted that he needs more psychological belief to play attacking tennis when the opportunity arises to reach the next level.
"Some players do not play aggressively, but they give you balls that are pretty difficult to attack – sometimes, I lack those kinds of shots in my game. Furthermore, I need to have more confidence coming forward."
"There are a lot of rallies where I get a shorter ball and I do not come to the net because I am uncertain. Or I do come, but you can see I do not feel that comfortable. I need to break that barrier in my head because I feel I can get more points that way."
"Also, I need for my second serve to be faster. It would be a huge advantage, since it would be harder to break me. In part, that is mental as well, because in practice I hit second serves harder and I rarely make double faults."
"But in the match, when I feel pressure, sometimes I am afraid to go for it, particularly when it is 30–30 or break point or advantage. Then I just push the ball in order to start the point. I need to say to myself ‘just do it’."