Andrey Rublev, who competes at the Nitto ATP Finals for the second consecutive year, has returned to basics and believes it’s only a matter of time before big results will come.
“I am feeling much better,” said Rublev at the Pala Alpitour in Turin on Friday. “In the past two weeks, I’ve been doing things well inside and outside of the court. I am improving now again. Of course, I will perform my best and I hope to do well.
“In my case, it is to keep the same plan. Not just this week, but if I do things the way I’ve been doing over the past two-and-a-half weeks, I will play better and the results will follow.”
The Russian, who will play against Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud in the Green Group, insists he’s going to prepare differently to last year when he made his season finale debut at The O2 in London.
“This year, I am doing things a little differently, in a more relaxed way. Hopefully, I learned something from last year. I have analysed and learned my mistakes last year. We’ll see if I’m smart enough to do better.”
But 24-year-old Rublev, who had won four of his eight ATP Tour titles on indoor hard courts, insists he isn’t among the title favourites for The Brad Drewett Trophy at the 14-21 November event.
“I am not even thinking I have a chance or be a dark horse,” said Rublev. “I just want to focus on the process. What happened to Daniil, Stefanos and Sascha, winning the [Nitto] ATP Finals title, was because they proved they are top players, and they had the level to be here.
“In my case, I am thinking about the process and I’m happier about how I am doing things on and off the court. It may not happen immediately, but if I keep doing what I am doing, good things will happen and I’ll go deep in a tournament.”
Rublev, who has a 48-20 match record in 2021, will challenge five-time former Nitto ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic on Monday afternoon.