- Andrei Rublev reveals why he hit his racket against his knee six times
- The incident took place during his clash with Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz
- The world number 5 would lose the match against the 20-year-old star
Russian tennis star Andrei Rublev reveals why he hit his racket against his knee six times during his defeat to Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz last month.
After being toppled 7-5 in the opening set, the Russian world number 5 became increasingly a pent-up figure as he crashed his racket onto the court after missing a shot to give Alcaraz a break point in the first game of the second.
Missing the decisive shot and being broken by Alcaraz, the 26-year-old opted to punish himself, bringing the racket down again and again until his kneecap was bloodied.
An emotional Rublev was then attended to by members of his team during the break between matches, and continued to play as the wound continued to weep.
Nick Kyrgios, infamous for his outbursts during a match, was also shocked by Rublev's reaction and even offered to personally help the Russian with his mentality.
Andrei Rublev reveals why he hit his racket against Carlos Alcaraz's knee six times
Andrei Rublev vented his frustration during his ATP Finals match with the Wimbledon champion
Rublev, 26, has since admitted that during these moments of madness he would rather hit himself than go to court.
Speak with ChampionRublev said: “I am very selective – it is difficult for me to find rackets that I like,” Rublev said.
'Even if they are the same, out of fifteen rackets, only two or three will suit me. This makes me feel sorry for hitting them on the field again, because if they break I have to look for them again. And that can take a long time, so I hit the knees and not the track.'
The world No.5 reveals that he hit himself out of spite and did it to wake him up.
“Second, sometimes I feel so strongly about myself that I don't know what else to do to signal to myself that it's time to wake up.
'At times like this I try to say to myself: 'Wake up! Half the game is already over and you haven't done anything.'
“It all leads to this outburst of anger. And right after this outburst, I feel guilty for stepping on the same racket again.
'Because all those crazy people are not necessary at all, they don't help me in any way, I understand that. But right now I just don't know what else to do to achieve myself.'
The world number 5 cut a forlorn figure as his team attended to him during the break
Unfortunately for the Russian, his outburst wasn't enough to spur him on and engineer a dramatic comeback
Unfortunately for the Russian, his outburst wasn't enough to spur him on and engineer a dramatic comeback.
Alcaraz, who won the Wimbledon title earlier this summer, was able to waltz away with the victory in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, in their first career meeting.
The draw was Rublev's second in Turin and second defeat after losing to compatriot and close friend Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 in his tournament opener.