By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, October 30, 2024
Photo: Tennis Screen Shot
The basic game is bruising Andrey Rublev strong.
Today, Rublev turned tennis into a blood sport.
More: Rafael Nadal announces his retirement from tennis
Frustrated during Rolex Paris Masters 7-6, 7-6 loss to Francisco CerundoloRublev turned himself into a human pinata.
Watch Rublev use his head racket like a hammer and pound his bleeding knee in a punishing display of self-abuse.
This is really worrying—Rublev hurts his knee again from self-inflicted racquetball. How can this be prevented? 😰#AndreyRublev #Rubles #Tennis #Damage #rolexparismasters #Andrey #Aceittt pic.twitter.com/sjVHX4B8kM
— Aceitt (@Aceitt1109) October 29, 2024
Andrey Rublev needs to help himself. This cannot continue. https://t.co/OXxWsBe7Xl
— Biola Solace-Chukwu (@Beeorlicious) October 29, 2024
On a screen that can do Mikhail Youzhny shaken, Rublev mercilessly hits the knee with his racquet.
The latest act of self-abuse has left some wondering on social media whether the Madrid champion needs a therapist, knee pads or plasma bags when he takes to the pitch.
Talk about hammering.
Rublev’s latest suicide attack comes months after a similar upset at Wimbledon.
Rublev slammed his stick off his knee seven times, by our count, during the SW19 tantrum.
Rublev then offered a simple explanation for kneeling instead of using his usual racket-striking game to shred the outfield: It’s too expensive to damage the prestigious SW19 turf.
“I wouldn’t do it if I was able to hit the racket on the floor,” Rublev told the media at Wimbledon. “Because we are not allowed to hit them with grass.
“I don’t know why at that moment, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to get the emotions out. But thank you, everything is fine. Again, I was a little lucky.”
Off the court, Rublev is one of the gentlest, kindest and quietest souls on the ATP Tour.
Put him in the pressure cooker of competition, turn up the heat, and it’s usually only a matter of height before Rublev blows the lid.
