Rublev relishing “challenging” UTS London group as he targets third title
Andrey Rublev heads into this weekend’s Victorian Plumbing UTS London Grand Final feeling refreshed and ready for battle, with the two-time champion welcoming a demanding Group A draw that he believes will push him to raise his level.
The Russian hasn’t had the easiest 2025 season — dropping out of the top 10 for the first time since 2020 and missing the ATP Finals — but he arrives at the Copper Box Arena in a positive frame of mind. Defending champion Alex de Minaur, Tomas Machac and Adrian Mannarino await in his group, a trio known for their relentless court coverage and ability to grind out long rallies.
Rather than viewing it as a problem, Rublev sees it as an opportunity.
“I like the group. It’s a challenging group because it will take a lot of effort in terms of legs, physical, heart condition,” Rublev said on the eve of the event. “All those three players, they have amazing legs and they play long rallies. So you cannot rush with them, you cannot hit in two shots.
“It will kind of challenge me to bring a higher level in terms of mental, in terms of physical, in terms of legs, in terms of the way I will think on a court. And I like it because it’s going to be a nice challenge for me to see if I’m kind of able to do this or not really.”
Tough opener against Machac
Friday night pits Rublev against Machac, the Czech who won UTS Guadalajara earlier this year. The pair have history on the ATP Tour — and it didn’t go Rublev’s way.
“I know him a bit because we played once on Tour and he beat me. I know that he’s a super fighter. He has a good mental part. He stays stable. Really amazing backhand, great mobility and legs,” said Rublev. “So I think it’s going to be an intense match with a lot of long rallies, waiting for opportunities to step in and attack. It’s not like a match boom-boom. You need to build a point.”
Saturday brings a rematch with de Minaur — the man Rublev defeated in last year’s Oslo final — before a clash with French veteran Mannarino to close out group play.
Feeling “much better” than 2024
Despite the setbacks this season, Rublev is confident his body is in a better place than it was 12 months ago.
“I think much better compared to last year. Sure, much better. I feel much better,” he said.
He also believes the Victorian Plumbing UTS London Grand Final offers something unique when it comes to pre-season preparation — an endurance workout with the added pressure of competition.
“It helps a lot for your work because here you will do kind of endurance workout but with emotions, which is even tougher,” he explained. “Just to do endurance, sometimes you switch on like a robot mode and you don’t think — you just need to suffer and that’s it. And here you need to suffer, but also you have emotions and you need to think. It’s like an even much better endurance workout compared to what players are doing in gyms or on the court during practice.”
Strong bond with Vicente continues
Away from the court, Rublev’s coaching setup remains a source of stability. Fernando Vicente has been by his side for nearly a decade, with former world No 1 Marat Safin joining the team earlier this year.
“So good. I don’t know for the moment what to say, but so good. He helps me a lot, a lot, a lot in many ways,” Rublev said of Vicente. “And our relationship, I think, is getting better and better. I think both of us enjoy it. Him enjoying working, I’m enjoying practicing. It’s been super good.
“He’s doing all pre-season with me. He’s coming to Australia.”
Group B features Casper Ruud, Ugo Humbert (in for the injured Jack Draper), Francisco Cerundolo and David Goffin. The semi-finals and final take place on Sunday, with the winner taking home up to $922,000.
