AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 25, 2023

Andrey Rublev

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/A. Rublev

6-1, 6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Andrey, obviously Novak played a very high level tonight. What impressed you the most about him?

ANDREY RUBLEV: I mean, I don't know because he's one of the best players. There was nothing that impressed me because he's one of the best. I knew he's going to be really tough. That's it. It's very simple.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You've played Novak a few times, beaten him once. Is it different playing him here where he's had so much success, especially on that court, than playing him elsewhere?

ANDREY RUBLEV: I would say yeah. Out of three times that we played before, today he played much better compare our previous meetings, even in Torino. Today, in my opinion, he was playing much better. That's it. I don't know what else to say.

He was serving really good, returning. So I don't know what much to say.

Q. I want to know how much you thought about the strapping on Novak's hamstring in the buildup to the match. Did you adjust your game plan at all to try to stretch him on the backhand?

ANDREY RUBLEV: To be honest, I was just trying not to think about it. I was just trying to keep telling to myself to don't give up, to try to play one extra game, you never know what can happen. Just to stay in the game, to don't try to, I don't know, mentally give up. If I can win my serve, let's win my serve, doesn't matter if it's Love-30. That's it.

But in the end, I mean, he played really well today.

Q. Obviously a tough evening, but what do you take out of this tournament?

ANDREY RUBLEV: Of course, I mean, I had a great wins here. I mean, like always, I will try to take experience, lessons. The things that I need to improve I think is very clear.

Now I have enough time to prepare, to work, especially with some guys from the new team that I'm having now. We can maybe build like a great two weeks of practice before I will start indoor season. We'll see.

Now I have to use this time in a smart way, to really work hard and improve some things.

Q. Do you feel like you're a much better player than you were a year ago, 18 months ago, two years ago?

ANDREY RUBLEV: Yeah, I feel that I'm, no doubt. I feel better. Yeah, mental-wise I feel this slam was much better than the previous ones. So for sure I feel I'm a better player. I feel better physically also. Hopefully I can keep improving. We'll see what's happen.

Q. The decision is coming about Wimbledon, players from Russia. Do you have any hope you might be able to play on the grass in Britain this summer?

ANDREY RUBLEV: I hope. I don't know. I mean, the last information that I heard was, like, maybe one week ago that the announcement will be in couple of weeks. We're all waiting. Hopefully we'll be able to play. I wish, I would like, and I would love to play. Of course, Wimbledon is one of the best tournaments in our sport.