Recovering Rublev not eager to re-live his Dubai DQ

Andrey Rublev has shoved aside any bad memories form last year’s Dubai disqualification as the third seed makes a fresh start at the ATP emirate 500 event.

The world No. 9 was tossed out in his semi-final a year ago against Alexander Bublik after losing control and screaming in the face of a linesman whose call had displeased him.

It was not the first temper tantrum for the volatile ginger, who arrived at the Aviation Club with last weekend’s title in his pocket for the second time.

Rublev said on Monday as play began that the incident is now well into the past.

It may also help that Dubai is using electronic line calling for the first time this edition, eliminating perhaps the main cause of player meltdowns. 

“All forgotten,” he said of the distasteful episode. “I didn’t think  about it until now. I hope yes, I’ve forgotten. 

“To be honest, I don’t know if it sounds good or bad, but it didn’t bother me. I was not sleeping in a nightmare, something like that.

“Or having fears to go play matches, no… so it didn’t really bother me.”

Rublev said it’s water under the bridge on a near-nonstop Tour.

“Things happen sometimes. Sometimes you cross the line and they punish you fair, sometimes maybe you don’t do nothing and they punish you not fair. 

“Sometimes maybe you cross the line, and no one realise and no one punish you. It’s life.”

The third seed behind Daniil Medvedev and Australian Alex de Minaur has been known for a ferocious temper and acting as a loose cannon on court.

Rublev said that he has hopefully emerged from a dark period which included medical treatment.

“I was taking antidepressants. But after one year of taking them, I realise in the
beginning (it was) a bit better, but then nothing.

“It was not getting worse, but something’s weird. I just stopped to take them, and that’s it.”

He credits former No. 1 Marat Safin with helping regain his focus and equilibrium.

“He made me understand myself or look at myself. That was a bit of a restart at the bottom. Now I’m moving little by little in this better direction.”

But Rublev admits his struggle will take time to fully work out.

“I’m not in a good or bad place, but I’m not feeling any more stress, I’m not feeling anxious, I’m not having depression. 

“Let’s put it that side. I’m just neutral. Not happy, not bad, but at least I found a base. That’s a beginning.”