By Scoop Malinowski Status: ATP no. 180. Former ITF Junior world number one and Junior French Open champion 2014. Won recent ATP doubles title at Kremlin Cup in Moscow with Dmitry Tursunov. Ht: 6-2 Wt: 178 DOB: October 20, 1997 In: Moscow, Russia
First Tennis Memory: [Laughs] I don’t know. Because I play tennis since I know myself because my mom was a tennis coach. So I don’t know.
Tennis Inspirations: I don’t know, I just love to play tennis.
Last Book Read: Rafael Nadal’s.
Greatest Sports Moment: I think it’s two victories – one against Verdasco (in Barcelona this year), and second in Davis Cup (defeated Andujar 64 76 63 in decisive fifth rubber to complete 0-2 comeback for Russia vs. Spain, securing Russia a spot in the World Group Play-Offs).
Most Painful Moment: Every moments is really painful for me. Like, every moments is really tough.
Strangest Match: Windy and snowy sometimes at some of the tournaments.
Favorite Tournaments: For the moment, it’s every ATP tournament – because I just – it’s my first time. When I play some ATP and Grand Slams, so I’m like so excited. And I’ve never seen organization like this, so, of course, I don’t know.
Interesting Facts: Andrey’s father Andrey Sr. was a professional boxer and he practices boxing as part of his training for tennis.
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: I’m not sure. I think, for sure, it was one of the Russian players but I don’t know which one. I remember when I was a kid I was a big fan of Safin. And I remember only when I meet with him. But for sure, before him, I meet with someone else. But I don’t know who.
Current Car: I don’t have a car. I’m too young [smiles].
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: Actually I have a lot of favorite sports – I like snowboard, wake board, basketball, football, American football…
Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: Formula One – (Lewis) Hamilton. LeBron James. Federer, Nadal and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: I’m not big fan of ice cream but the most is vanilla.
Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: I don’t know, it’s my life I think. Because I cannot imagine me without tennis.
People Qualities Most Admired: People, like, who never lie.
"I cannot imagine me without tennis"
Scoop Malinowski · October 28, 2015 at 11:07 am
Rublev just turned eighteen and has won a key, high pressure Davis Cup match vs Spain, won an ATP doubles title, was junior number one, won a junior major – and his father was a pro boxer – sky’s the limit for this kid –
Moskova Moskova · October 28, 2015 at 3:53 pm
again, still too early to tell – he can go sputnik or go bozo !….again, let’s see a top-10 win or push one of them at a GS…(prlly not gona happen anytime soon)….capice !