There are no linesmen at Indian Wells and this is as much good news for the latter, who will not be yelled at for free, almost head to head, as for Andrey Rublev, who will have difficulty passing his nerves on the electronic system that announces fouls in California.
A week after his disqualification in Dubai while trailing 6-5 in the third set, the Russian, who verbally attacked one of these judges during his semi-final against Alexander Bublik, makes his comeback at the competition in Indian Wells against Andy Murray. On Wednesday, at the same time as he announced the launch of a foundation in his name to finance medical care for children in need, the 5th in the world returned to his enormous exit from the road.
He works with a psychologist
“I would like to apologize for my behavior in Dubai,” said the 26-year-old, who, after appeal, recovered the ATP points and prize money from his semi-final in the United Arab Emirates and got out of it with a simple fine of around €33,000. “It’s unacceptable to yell at someone like I did, no matter who, a linesman or a spectator,” he added. I am really sorry. I’m no one who can afford that. It is disrespectful. I am ashamed. This is a big lesson for me. »
Accustomed to slips, generally directed against himself, Rublev, who has already injured himself several times by hitting his racket with his fist or his knee, crossed another limit by vehemently attacking an official. “I am a very sensitive person. Sometimes emotions overwhelm me and I do bad things, he told us on Wednesday. Whereas in life, it’s quite the opposite, I show very few negative emotions. »
Fernando Vicente’s foal began working with a psychologist several months ago. “I’m too hard on myself, it’s not normal,” he admits. I’m working on this to find balance and not destroy myself. Every time I step onto a tennis court, I feel alive. But there is a big negative side to that, which is when I get carried away by these emotions. I lose a lot of matches because of that. It’s a bit toxic and has an impact on my daily life. I’m trying to learn to better manage this passion, that is to say, to be less affected by victories and defeats. Not to ascend to seventh heaven after the first, not to destroy myself after the second. I hope to be on the right track, despite the setbacks. »