NITTO ATP FINALS

November 19, 2021

Andrey Rublev

Pala Alpitour, Torino

Press Conference

C. RUUD/A. Rublev

2-6, 7-5, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How are you feeling right now? You started really well, were up a set and a break. How disappointing was that for you?

ANDREY RUBLEV: No, yeah, now it's really tough. Not much to say. It's tough. But hopefully I can go through it, to take a great lesson to give me a huge improvement.

Q. He and Djokovic this week all said they consider you to hit the biggest ball on tour. At some point during the match, Casper hit 173-per-kilometer forehand. How do you rate his forehand? How big can he hit it?

ANDREY RUBLEV: He have a great forehand. For sure, also one of the best on tour. I think his main thing is his forehand. He try to go around and he's dictating and hitting the ball well. So yeah...

Q. What do you think happened when you were up the break in the second set? Obviously you were pretty disgusted with yourself when you lost your serve there. What do you think changed things or turned it around?

ANDREY RUBLEV: I think in the moment I get tight, which is normal. Casper played well. I didn't make not one first serve. Second, because I was tight, I wasn't serving too well. He returned really aggressive with the forehand couple of times and I couldn't do nothing.

When I lost my serve, I get a bit down because I was feeling that I'm controlling the match, I'm controlling everything. Now we have to restart again.

Anyway, I mean, I dropped mentally a bit for two games, but then I start to play good again. Was just unlucky. He play really well game at 6-5.

Third set was just unlucky.

Q. Do you think this was something similar to what you were talking about the other day as far as nerves? You said your emotions take over.

ANDREY RUBLEV: Well, I don't know. I mean, to get tight, this is normal. Every player is getting tight or nervous. This is part of the sport. Just today didn't happen. That's it. Maybe tomorrow when I'm going to get tight and I will serve for the match I will make it, and today no.