Rublev confirms there was something that was leading to his outbursts and meltdowns.
Andrey Rublev got pretty candid amid a deep Montreal Masters run as the Russian tennis star admits he has been battling some personal issues off the court for the past few years which led to him falling into a dark place.
After Rublev bloodied his knee with racket hits during the 2023 ATP Finals, the general reaction was that many felt very concerned because the Russian started harming himself – previously he was just taking it on his racket. But then in Dubai earlier this year, Rublev had a far bigger outburst after getting into the face of a line umpire – that landed him a disqualification but also a $36,4000 fine.
After admitting that he was going through a rough period but that he is now doing better, world No. 6 Rublev was asked to elaborate.
“Mentally (laughing). Mentally I was out of order. I don’t know how you can say it. Everything. I guess it was already long moment of everything, and I start to burn out because I was struggling for many years with depression, with many things outside of the court. I guess this year it’s when I couldn’t handle it anymore, and it starts to just explode. It start to explode more and more on the court because in life I was able to stay calm, but inside the court I was burning everything. In the end, yeah, I was struggling. Now last months I feel really good, and straight away tennis is better,” Rublev explained.
Meanwhile, Rublev plays against Alexei Popyrin for the Montreal title. If Rublev wins, it will be his third Masters title but also 17th overall ATP title.
The Spaniard will change his schedule plans, starting next season
To improve, it is often advisable to change or modify something in your routine: Carlos Alcaraz knows this well, having already chosen to change his schedule for the 2025 season compared to recent years.
A significant piece of news that has been made public in recent days and that concerns the Spanish tennis player, who will change his plans after the Australian Open in January.
There are two consecutive editions in which the events scheduled in Argentina and Brazil have been able to enjoy the Spanish talent. The Argentina Open, ATP 250 scheduled in Buenos Aires from February 10, and the Rio Open starting from February 17, have however moved in recent weeks and have already managed to identify a name with a high specific weight to replace the 21-year-old Spaniard, silver medalist at the Paris Olympic Games.
The organizers of the two tournaments have focused on Alexander Zverev: the German will turn to Latin America after competing in Melbourne Park and will be the big star awaited by Argentine and Brazilian fans.
“The 25th edition of the Argentina Open already has its first confirmed figure: the current world number 4 will play the event for the first time. We are very happy to have you in this very special edition, Sasha,” is the announcement that appeared on the social accounts of the two tournaments.
In a music industry that’s often rife with surprising alliances and genre-crossing collaborations, the idea of a joint tour between Kid Rock and Taylor Swift might have seemed outlandish to some but intriguing to others. However, the rocker swiftly dispelled any notion of such a pairing, making his opinions known in his typical no-holds-barred style.
“We need more Toby Keiths and less Taylor Swifts,” he declared, voicing his disdain for what he sees as a move away from the authentic spirit of country music. His candid rejection of a potential collaboration sheds light on the wider cultural divide in the entertainment world, emphasizing the ongoing tension between traditional and modern forms of artistic expression.
Kid Rock’s comments reflect his long-standing alignment with a rugged, unapologetically American brand of music that merges rock, country, and hip-hop. With albums like Devil Without a Cause and Born Free, he has cultivated a persona that appeals to fans who value a no-nonsense approach to storytelling and themes rooted in heartland values. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift, with her massive following and genre-bending discography, represents the increasingly mainstream and pop-oriented direction that contemporary country music has taken. The stark contrast between their fan bases and musical ethos is indicative of a broader shift that has ruffled feathers among traditionalists like Kid Rock.
While Kid Rock has often praised the contributions of legendary country artists like Toby Keith, he perceives Swift’s brand as lacking in what he sees as authenticity. Toby Keith, with his songs brimming with patriotism and tales of small-town America, represents the sort of musician that Kid Rock wants to see more of in the industry. “Toby stands up for what matters. He writes music that tells it like it is and speaks to the heart of the American experience,” he once said of Keith. This admiration for Keith is grounded in the idea that his music doesn’t shy away from controversial or challenging topics but instead embraces them with a strong, unwavering sense of identity.
In contrast, Kid Rock criticizes Swift for what he perceives as a more calculated and market-driven approach. Despite Swift’s ability to tell stories that resonate with millions, Kid Rock is skeptical about whether her storytelling stems from genuine experiences or is crafted to appeal to the broadest possible audience. In recent years, as Swift has embraced a more explicit political stance and continued to expand her pop influences, the cultural gap between her and traditionalists like Kid Rock has widened even further.
Kid Rock’s refusal to join forces with Swift isn’t just a rejection of her musical style but also a statement about the type of artists he believes should be promoted. He isn’t interested in the sanitized, often polished images that dominate today’s pop-country scene but instead advocates for the kind of raw, gritty musicians that challenge conventions. His stance raises questions about the future of country music and whether there’s room for both the traditionalists and the new wave of performers like Swift.
While some fans might lament the lost opportunity for what would undoubtedly have been a high-profile tour, others applaud Kid Rock for staying true to his roots. The divide between the two camps underscores the evolving nature of the music industry, where cross-genre collaboration is increasingly the norm. Yet for musicians like Kid Rock, whose career was built on unapologetically speaking his mind, compromising his values isn’t an option.
His stance also draws attention to the broader cultural debates in America, where identity and authenticity play significant roles in shaping public opinion. The Kid Rock versus Taylor Swift narrative fits neatly into the larger discourse about what kind of art should be promoted and celebrated. Should the industry focus on appealing to mainstream tastes and promoting global superstars like Swift, or should it prioritize artists who adhere to traditional genres and values, like Toby Keith?
For now, Kid Rock remains unwavering in his beliefs. While he has nothing against musicians charting their paths, he insists that the industry should not forget the foundational values that artists like Toby Keith represent. “We’re losing touch with what made country music special in the first place,” he says, expressing concern that genre experimentation might ultimately dilute its identity.
Swift, on the other hand, has found immense success in her ability to transcend genres and redefine herself with each album release. While her early country hits like “Our Song” and “Love Story” cemented her status as a country star, she quickly pivoted into pop territory with 1989 and has since experimented with indie and alternative sounds. Her willingness to embrace change has earned her a fiercely loyal fan base but has also made her a lightning rod for criticism from purists like Kid Rock.
In the end, whether you side with Kid Rock’s vision or Swift’s evolution, there’s no denying that the music industry is richer for their contrasting perspectives. Their differing approaches represent two sides of an age-old debate about authenticity, identity, and artistic integrity that will continue to shape the industry’s future for years to come.
As the dust settles from Kid Rock’s pointed remarks, the ball is in Swift’s court to respond—if she chooses to do so. Regardless of their contrasting views, both artists will continue to define their careers on their terms, standing firm in what they believe makes great music. The resulting conversation will likely only fuel further interest in the evolving story of country music, where the old guard and new guard are constantly negotiating what the genre will look like next
The Serbian champion showed an incredible performance against Carlos Alcaraz in the final, using his experience in the decisive moments of the match. Few people thought that Novak would be able to express such a high level of tennis, just weeks after being defeated by the Spaniard in the final of the Wimbledon Championships.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has made one of his greatest dreams come true, which had always eluded him in past editions of the Olympics. The Olympic Games had almost become a curse for Nole, especially after the tremendous disappointments at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade gave his all in Paris, winning the Olympic tournament without losing a set. It is unclear whether this victory will be an incentive to continue playing or if Novak might seriously consider retiring. For the moment, Djokovic has expressed his desire to continue playing to break other records.
Nole celebrated in Serbia
After winning the Paris Olympics, Novak Djokovic took a few days off from work and celebrated with his friends. The Serbian has decided to skip the Masters 1000 in Montreal and Cincinnati and will return directly to the court at the US Open at the end of August.
Meanwhile, Serbia has organized a big event in Belgrade where Nole showed his compatriots his gold medal. A creepy moment. “I have had the honour and pleasure of being on this special [City Hall] balcony several times in my career, but each time you surprise and inspire me more and more,” Djokovic told the crowd. “This is the most beautiful feeling that an athlete from Serbia can experience.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had pursued his dream of winning an Olympic gold medal for his entire career.
In the latest edition of his podcast, ATP legend Jimmy Connors paid tribute to Novak: “Probably this gold medal is as important to him as his first Wimbledon or US Open because he’s done the others, you know, he’s won every Grand Slam and many other tournaments. But winning the gold medal, for him, it’s like the icing on the cake. Almost three hours of play, 7-6(3), 7-6(2), the kind of tennis that they produced, what do you expect? Age is something that you can never beat and as much you try to fight it and as much as you try to figure out a way with your diet or with your training or whatever, numbers count in that.”
“The fact is that at this stage of my career, every Grand Slam final could be the last one,” Nole said in a recent interview. “So I think that I probably value these occasions and opportunities to win another Slam more than I did maybe 10 years ago because 10 years ago I felt like, ‘Hey, I still have quite a few years ahead of me.’ I don’t know how many I have ahead of me now, I don’t know how many of the years where I play four Slams in the season. I see every Grand Slam that I play right now as really a golden opportunity to make more history.
I had a childhood dream when I was seven, eight: I wanted to become the best player in the world and win a Wimbledon trophy. That was the only thing I wanted. When I realized that, I started to dream new dreams and set new objectives, new goals. I never imagined that I would be here talking about 24 Slams” – he added.
The first part of the season was not easy for Djokovic, who had not won a single title and had to undergo knee surgery during the French Open. Many believed that the Serb would not return to high levels, but Novak shocked the world for the umpteenth time. The 37-year-old from Belgrade is no longer interested in returning to the top of the ATP rankings, but he can never be underestimated in the most prestigious tournaments.
Novak Djokovic is the second player with 596 top-2 weeks
Alongside many other achievements, Novak Djokovic secured another massive ranking record on Monday. The 24-time Major winner joined Rafael Nadal at the top of the list with 596 top-2 weeks, following his most significant rival on a notable accomplishment.
Djokovic is skipping this week’s Cincinnati Masters, losing 1000 ATP points and putting his top-2 streak in danger. If Carlos Alcaraz reaches the quarter-final, he will pass the Serb, preventing him from taking the record away from Nadal.
Novak is the defending US Open champion, having to defend 2000 ATP points in New York if he wants to stay in touch with Alcaraz and Sinner. At 37 years and two months, Djokovic is the second-oldest top-2 player, passing Roger Federer and standing only behind Ken Rosewall.
Novak cracked the top-3 in July 2007, standing as the closest rival of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Serb had a couple of chances to enter the top-2 and make another step on the list.
Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics
However, he wasted them and waited until February 2010 to finally separate Federer and Nadal and start his top-2 journey.
Djokovic had three top-2 runs that year, still finishing third on the year-end ranking list. Novak made a perfect start to the 2011 season, leaving everyone behind and settling in the top-2 in March. The era of the mighty Serb became, and he embraced 325 consecutive top-2 weeks, staying there until May 2017 and almost breaking Federer’s record.
Struggling with an elbow injury, Novak could not challenge the rivals from the top in the next 12 months, dropping out from the top-20 and showing return signs in May 2018. Djokovic conquered Wimbledon and the US Open in the upcoming months, performing an incredible comeback and embracing another top-2 streak in October.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal share the record with 596 top-2 weeks.
Djokovic embraced another incredible season in 2023, stopping the clock and lifting three Major titles from four finals.
The Serb secured his eighth year-end no. 1 honor, keeping much younger opponents behind and writing history. Novak could not keep that pace in 2024, although he did enough to add more top-2 weeks to his tally and match Rafa. Djokovic lost the Australian Open title to Jannik Sinner, suffering the only Melbourne loss following the quarter-final.
Sinner outplayed Djokovic in the semi-final, offering the legend no break points and sealing the deal in four sets after a rock-solid display. Novak fell to Luca Nardi in Indian Wells and suffered the semi-final loss to Casper Ruud in Monte Carlo, still seeking his first top-10 triumph of the season.
Djokovic did not improve his level in Rome and Geneva, falling to lower-ranked opponents and gathering dark clouds over his Roland Garros campaign. As it turned out, Novak felt the pain in his right knee, which worsened following two marathons on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Djokovic ousted Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo before withdrawing ahead of the quarter-final duel with Casper Ruud, experiencing a setback and undergoing surgery on June 5.
The legend started the battle against time ahead of Wimbledon, hitting the gym a week later and traveling to London. Novak entered the draw with a protection on his knee and wished for the best. Djokovic passed a couple of challenging rivals in the opening week, avoiding five-setters and preserving his knee.
The veteran outplayed the young guns, ousting Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti for a place in another Wimbledon final. Like a year ago, Carlos Alcaraz proved too strong for the Serb in the title clash, earning a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 victory and keeping Novak away from his 25th Major crown.
Djokovic made a strong start against Matthew Ebden and Rafael Nadal before ousting Dominik Koepfer for a place in the quarter-final.
Novak faced Stefanos Tsitsipas in a battle for the semi-final and felt the pain in his knee in the second set. The Greek led 4-0 and 5-2, missing three set points on serve before the Serb performed a comeback and sealed the deal in straight sets, taking necessary rest and preparing for the semi-final duel versus Lorenzo Musetti.
Djokovic broke Musetti five times in a row from the end of the opening set, scoring a 6-4, 6-2 victory and arranging the title clash versus Carlos Alcaraz. Two great competitors embraced two tie breaks and fought for two hours and 50 minutes in the match of the tournament.
The Serb gathered a boost and pushed his young rival in set number two. Alcaraz saved a break point in the early stages and remained competitive until the second tie break, a must-win one for him. However, Novak fired up his forehand and clinched it 7-2, sealing the deal and starting a massive celebration of the only notable title missing in his collection. Djokovic took a well-deserved rest after Paris, missing Montreal and Cincinnati ahead of the US Open.
There’s little left for Novak Djokovic to achieve in tennis following his Paris Olympics triumph, although his motivation looks to be as high as ever.
Novak Djokovic set out his stall while addressing his country (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic appears to have no intention of retiring anytime soon. The newly-crowned Olympic champion has revealed his intention to defend the title at the Los Angeles Games.
Djokovic finally won gold at the fifth time of asking, ticking off his last remaining goal in tennis. He’s become just the fifth player in the sport’s history to achieve the so-called Golden Slam in singles – winning all four majors and the Olympics – after Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
While there’s nothing of note left for the 37-year-old to win, he’s still hungry for more success. And that includes becoming the first player to appear in six singles Olympic competitions come four years’ time in LA.
“I’ll try to make it to Los Angeles,” he said when speaking at Serbia’s celebration of their medallists in Belgrade on Monday. “I’d like to. The greatest pleasure is representing Serbia at the Olympic Games.
“For me, this is the realisation of a boyhood dream, the pressure to win the gold was huge because I won more or less everything. I feel fulfilled, complete, let’s celebrate.”
Unlike his rivals Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray, Djokovic has remained largely injury free throughout his legendary career. Although his meniscus tear at the French Open could serve as a warning for the future.
Djokovic wants to defend his Olympic title in LA (Image: Getty)
It’s definitely not out of the question that he can continue playing until the age of 41. It would almost certainly see him move out ahead in the list of most all-time Grand Slam wins, which he currently tops alongside Margaret Court on 24.
He can achieve that at the US Open, which gets underway later this month. He’ll enter the final major of the year without any competitive hard-court preparation, though.
Djokovic withdrew from both last week’s Canadian Open and this week’s Cincinnati Open, presumably due to the quick turnaround from the Games. Carlos Alcaraz, who he beat for gold in Paris, will be in action in Cincinnati, looking to avenge his defeat from last year’s final.
