Andry Rublev has confessed that the pending return to action of Rafael Nadal has got him in something of an emotional twist.
The ATP No. 5 says life near the summit of the sport is just more comfortable for other competitors when the Spanish powerhouse is missing.
Nadal will end a nearly year-long injury absence when he competes in the Brisbane event prior to the Australian Open.
“I’m happy for him that finally he’s back. But obviously as a competitor, I feel more freedom when he was not there,” Rublev perhaps only half joked.
“For tennis, it’s great that he’s back. He will bring back a lot of spectators, a lot of followers.
“He will bring a lot of attention again to tennis. So, it’s amazing that he’s back.”
