No logic, just a feeling: Andrey Rublev "always knew" he wanted to work with Marat Safin

MONTE CARLO—Andrey Rublev always had the idea in his head to work with the champion he idolized.

At the start of this month, that notion came to fruition when Marat Safin signed on to join the world No. 9’s team alongside long-time coach Fernando Vicente—debuting last Friday at the UTS event in Nimes.

“Yeah, it’s different. It’s not like… yeah. I have to really focus,” Rublev shared with me in Monte Carlo after I asked how having Safin in his ear on court compared to having conversations off it.

On Sunday, the two had their first practice together at an ATP event. Across the net trained good friend Daniil Medvedev and hours later, Rublev teamed up with another close buddy in Karen Khachanov to defeat Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus.

“Today was a good day. Me and Karen, we played really well. I lost many times against Venus and Mektic and now we were able to beat them,” summarized the 27-year-old.

Said Medvedev the day prior when I asked for his take on the new combination, the 2021 US Open champion said, “Big combination. I’m practicing with them tomorrow, so I’m gonna see with my eyes how it works. I think it’s going to be very interesting, positive in terms of PR for other people, for fans to enjoy it, But also in terms of work.”

Deep inside, I always wanted to work together, but I knew that he was not interested. And I never wanted to put any pressure because I really care about Marat. Andrey Rublev

In 2024, Rublev revealed that he turned to Safin to “fix my head” after dropping his Wimbledon opener to Francisco Comensana. He was grateful that the two-time major winner made the time for him, and while Rublev hoped to soak up more of Safin’s insights, the Moscow native didn’t want to force the issue either.

“Deep inside, I always wanted to work together, but I knew that he was not interested. And I never wanted to put any pressure because I really care about Marat. Later on, I found out that he's kind of ready to work in tennis or something like that, that he don't mind.

And then I say, ‘OK, even if it's not gonna be me, at least I can ask.’ I have nothing to lose if I ask. Then my agent ask, they talk and little by little we work for a couple of days together.”

I think it’s going to be very interesting, positive in terms of PR for other people, for fans to enjoy it, But also in terms of work. Daniil Medvedev on the Rublev-Safin pairing

As for what ultimately drove Rublev to make this decision going into the European clay-court season? It came straight from the heart.

“It was my feelings. There was no logic, no explanation,” he said.

“I know him since I was a kid, and he was my inspiration. Then, he knows me for many years as well. When I start to play better tennis, we start to get to know each other more. I find out that he's a really nice guy and then later on, during I guess his life, he was struggling with his own struggles and he was able to (come) through. And that's it.”

Rublev, who lifted the Monte Carlo crown two years ago for his maiden Masters 1000 title, is seeded seventh. Looking to snap a three-match losing streak that followed a triumph in Dubai, Rublev will have to get past Gael Monfils. On Monday, the 38-year-old Frenchman stormed back to beat Fabian Marozsan, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.