Rublev fighting the Nadal fear factor

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.”