Andrey Rublev hasn’t had things all his own way during the early stages of his 2025 campaign.
The Russian star suffered a shock defeat at this year’s Australian Open, as Rublev lost to Joao Fonseca in straight sets, 6-7, 3-6, 6-7, in the first round.
Looking to bounce back, the 27-year-old failed to perform at both the Open Occitanie and Rotterdam Open, winning just four matches across the two events.
He finally got his season back on track in Doha, as Rublev won the Qatar Open, taking down British star Jack Draper in the final.
A defeat in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships followed as the world number eight failed to capitalize on his momentum in the Middle East.
He has now traveled to Indian Wells for the Masters 1000 event in California and has shared his thoughts on the controversial new courts.
Andrey Rublev says the conditions are always ‘tough’ at Indian Wells and isn’t sure about the new courts
Indian Wells will have new courts in 2025, a decision that has stirred up plenty of controversy among the stars of the ATP Tour.
Two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev said the courts feel ‘very slow’, having also criticized the conditions after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s final.
Medvedev’s countryman, Rublev, has now given his honest opinion on the courts and conditions at Indian Wells.
“I’m not sure if it’s faster or not,” he said.
“They changed the court color, it was blue, now it’s more purple.
“But yeah, the conditions have always been tough here, well not tough, they’re just difficult to explain.”
Rublev went on to explain how the conditions are interchangeable in California, making it hard for players to maintain consistency.
“It’s like there’s one tournament but four different kinds of conditions,” he said.
“If you play during the day, in the heat, that’s one thing but if you play at night, it’s completely different, nowhere near.
“Then it might get cold the next day, another factor for you, plus there’s always strong wind here.
“One tournament, four different kinds of conditions, that’s why everyone struggles here every year.”
Rublev’s best performance at the tournament came in 2022 when he lost to home favorite Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals.
| Year | Round lost in | Opponent | Score |
| 2024 | 3R | Jiri Lehecka | 4-6, 4-6 |
| 2023 | 4R | Cameron Norrie | 2-6, 4-6 |
| 2022 | SF | Taylor Fritz | 5-7, 4-6 |
| 2021 | 3R | Tommy Paul | 4-6, 6-3, 5-7 |
| 2019 | 3R | Karen Khachanov | 5-7, 3-6 |
| 2018 | 2R | Taylor Fritz | 4-6, 6-7 |
Andrey Rublev reflects on mixed results in the Middle East
Rublev was also asked how he felt after winning his first title of the year at the Qatar Open last month.
“Joy, some wonderful emotions, and knowing that I’m on the right path,” he said.
“But I knew that even at the start of the season when I was losing in the first rounds of Australia.
“So yeah, joy and confirmation that there’s also this other way in which I can win.”
Rublev then lost to Quentin Halys in Dubai in another shock defeat, although the Russian ATP star now explains why his loss to the Frenchman wasn’t all that surprising.
“Dubai wasn’t really a setback,” he said.
“It’s just tough when you arrive from another tournament and then immediately have to play, especially when the conditions are completely different.
“If they were similar it would’ve been a bit easier, but when you played three tough matches in a row against top players, all three-setters too, and you have to play immediately after you arrive, I wouldn’t really call it a tennis match.
“Plus the opponent played incredibly, he served very well, and I couldn’t do much about it.”
Rublev will hope to return to winning ways when he takes on the winner of Matteo Arnaldi and Aleksandar Kovacevic in the Indian Wells second round later this week.