NITTO ATP FINALS

November 13, 2023

Andrey Rublev

Pala Alpitour,Torino

Press Conference

D. MEDVEDEV/A. Rublev

6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Andrey, bad luck. Very tight and well-played first set. Do you regret any of those chances that you had?

ANDREY RUBLEV: Of course. I mean, I don't know, the feeling was that as soon as we had a rally, I was playing well and I had great chances. I was not able to use my serve really well to open the court. When he had important moments, I think almost all the break points he save with a good serve.

Then I had some chances, drive volley that I miss. I had opportunity I remember 5-4, Love-30, I had quite easy drive forehand, and I didn't hit it clean, and the rally continue. He played really well.

Also the serve that I lost in the first set, I missed two easy balls. One was backhand in the middle of the court, then break point.

Those things in the end makes huge difference.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You've played Daniil many times. My question sounds a little bit silly. The more you play, it's always an extra shot, he gets back and defends. How you cannot turn crazy against him because it's always like this?

ANDREY RUBLEV: I would say the more I play with him, the better I feel because I start to get used to those things and get less crazy compare our first matches.

I would say the more I play with him, the more it gets normal for me that is coming one extra ball, one extra ball.

But in the end, today was quite easy for him.

Q. Taking into mind what you just said about the more you play him, are you talking specifically about each match or are you talking overall? The question I had really is, do you find it difficult to play Daniil because he's one of your closest friends, you being his daughter's godfather as well?

ANDREY RUBLEV: No, no. For sure nothing with our relationship outside the court. I would say in general Daniil first of all is one of the best players and he's playing his best season so far.

Of course, for every player, normally if they are not top five, they're losing to him. If they're top five, it's very tough to beat him.

I don't know. In general I feel that we always have some close matches. I don't know. As more I play, even if the score is different, but from baseline I feel every time better and better against him.

The question is more about the mental part in those important moments, to keep focused, to use those chances when I have these balls, drive forehands, whatever, volleys. When he give you these extra ball, be focused to finish these points.