THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 6, 2023

Andrey Rublev

Press Conference

A. RUBLEV/A. Karatsev

6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Andrey, how were you feeling out there today?

ANDREY RUBLEV: Of course I feel tired and was really tough match. Like I was saying on the court, it's always tough to play against Aslan, because it's these kind of players that he doesn't give you a rhythm. He go for the shots every time. When he's in a mood and he make most of them, is really tough to beat him.

It's like sometimes you feel you cannot do anything. Just wait for the moment or he do few mistakes or suddenly he will slow down, and then you cannot take advantage because the other way he go for returns every time in or out, and after the serve, first shot, second serve he serve really hard.

So sometimes, yeah, like I said, when he's in a zone that he makes everything is really tough to beat him.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Equipment-wise, you have shown something different here at this tournament because you have been playing for the first time with a watch on. Players are superstitious. What made you make that change, and how is it going?

ANDREY RUBLEV: I don't know. For me actually was quite easy, because I think Bulgari fits really well to me. I don't know. We discuss those things, and I say I think it's going to be good for the brand to use it also on the match, and also the things that they are doing within the fashion industry is really impressive.

So I don't know. I think it fits really well. And to kind of to put fashion also inside the tennis court is also a good step. So it was quite easy.

Q. Tennis-wise, what are you most happy with with your game?

ANDREY RUBLEV: I don't know. I feel, to be honest, really happy with everything for the moment. We'll see. We'll see what's gonna happen.

Even if the result will be not high or something, at least I know for sure now I'm on a good level. I'm hitting the ball really well also. With the mood, I'm playing last matches really with a really great concentration, not really showing much emotions.

So we'll see. The main part is to keep in that way.