ndrey Rublev admits he would like his and Marat Safin’s partnership to be a long-time thing but also highlights it mostly depends on if the former two-time Grand Slam champion will “enjoy or suffer” working with him.
This week, the current top-ranked Russian male tennis player will kick off his collaboration with one of the most iconic Russian tennis players. For now, it’s a partnership that is only guaranteed to last until the end of the French Open.
At 27, Rublev has accomplished some notable things since he is a 17-time ATP champion and has been ranked as high as No. 5 in the world. But he just hasn’t been able to make the next step for quite some time and become a contender at the Grand Slams. Also, he has struggled with mental health issues for the past year and that also led to his form and results being inconsistent.
Rublev: If Safin ‘suffers’ with me, he won’t waste his time
“Marat is someone that inspired me since I was a kid. I’m just trying to listen and to try new things. We’ll see how it will work, or what it will bring, or what’s going to happen. I hope for a really long partnership, but it depends if he enjoys working with me or if he will suffer. Because if he feels I’m not listening, I don’t think he will waste his time,” the 27-year-old the ATP website.
Over the weekend, Safin himself very directly and honestly commented on his new gig as he stated that he can help Rublev but the world No. 9 needs to follow his lead.
“I can show him the road, but he needs to walk (it). It’s not going to happen magically, you need to work your way. So I think it’s up to him,” the former world No. 1 told Tennis Channel over the weekend.
When Rublev meets Gael Monfils on Wednesday at the Monte Carlo Masters, the Russian will try to kick off his partnership with Safin with a win.
Tennis World USA