Andy Roddick questions tennis rules amid raising concerns for ‘beloved’ ATP Tour star harming himself
Andrey Rublev has secured his place at the ATP Finals in Turin after a rocky season. His best result of 2024 came on the clay, when the Russian won the Madrid Open to take home his second Masters 1000 title. Rublev has had a mixed 2024 that led to a number of outbursts on the courtGetty But Rublev has also struggled at times, leading to a number of outbursts on the court. At the French Open, he slammed his racket on his own knee, and the court, during a third round defeat to Matteo Arnaldi. He admitted after that his behaviour was the worst it had been at a Grand Slam, adding that he was “disappointed” with himself. Unfortunately, the disciplinary issues reappeared last week, when Rublev broke down once more at the Paris Masters, against Francisco Cerundolo. During his 7-6 7-6 defeat, the 27-year-old bust open his own knee after smashing his racket against it seven times. The impact was so severe that Rublev drew blood from himself. Off the court, he is considered one of the friendliest players on tour, and many within the tennis world are becoming more concerned with his outbursts. That includes legend Andy Roddick, who has proposed a rule change that could prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. “I watch [the outbursts] and I don’t think it’s funny,” he began, speaking on his Served podcast. “I like Andrey Rublev a lot. Everyone in the locker room really likes Andrey Rublev. He’s one of the most liked guys on tour. Tennis legend Roddick is worried about Rublev’s well-being on the courtGetty “This isn’t as if we’re going after Rublev, it comes from a genuine place of concern. Journalist Jon Wertheim, who had similar concerns to Roddick, then asked what could be done to help the 9th ranked player on the ATP Tour. “How about if you hit yourself you get a warning?” the 2003 US Open champion suggested. “If you break the racket on the deck you would get that, but I just feel that breaking your racket on the court is a way lesser evil than self-harm out there.” The spotlight will be on Rublev as he looks to put his violent outbursts behind him at the ATP Finals in Turin. He will make his fifth-straight appearance at the tournament, which begins on Sunday, November 10.
Andrey Rublev has secured his place at the ATP Finals in Turin after a rocky season.
His best result of 2024 came on the clay, when the Russian won the Madrid Open to take home his second Masters 1000 title.
But Rublev has also struggled at times, leading to a number of outbursts on the court.
At the French Open, he slammed his racket on his own knee, and the court, during a third round defeat to Matteo Arnaldi.
He admitted after that his behaviour was the worst it had been at a Grand Slam, adding that he was “disappointed” with himself.
Unfortunately, the disciplinary issues reappeared last week, when Rublev broke down once more at the Paris Masters, against Francisco Cerundolo.
During his 7-6 7-6 defeat, the 27-year-old bust open his own knee after smashing his racket against it seven times.
The impact was so severe that Rublev drew blood from himself.
Off the court, he is considered one of the friendliest players on tour, and many within the tennis world are becoming more concerned with his outbursts.
That includes legend Andy Roddick, who has proposed a rule change that could prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
“I watch [the outbursts] and I don’t think it’s funny,” he began, speaking on his Served podcast.
“I like Andrey Rublev a lot. Everyone in the locker room really likes Andrey Rublev. He’s one of the most liked guys on tour.
“This isn’t as if we’re going after Rublev, it comes from a genuine place of concern.
Journalist Jon Wertheim, who had similar concerns to Roddick, then asked what could be done to help the 9th ranked player on the ATP Tour.
“How about if you hit yourself you get a warning?” the 2003 US Open champion suggested.
“If you break the racket on the deck you would get that, but I just feel that breaking your racket on the court is a way lesser evil than self-harm out there.”
The spotlight will be on Rublev as he looks to put his violent outbursts behind him at the ATP Finals in Turin.
He will make his fifth-straight appearance at the tournament, which begins on Sunday, November 10.
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