Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev, currently ranked 14th in the world, has been putting in the work on the practice courts in Rome. He was seen training under the watchful eye of his coach, the legendary Marat Safin, as he prepares for his opening match at the prestigious Masters event in the Italian capital.
Safin, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, is clearly focused on getting his charge ready for the challenges ahead. The session comes as Rublev gears up for his second-round encounter at the Foro Italico.
Rublev's opponent in his first match of the tournament will be Serbian player Miomir Kecmanovic. Kecmanovic is currently positioned at number 70 in the ATP rankings. This matchup is scheduled to take place on Friday, May 8th.
The Rome Masters, a key clay-court event in the tennis calendar, is running from May 6th through May 17th this year. It attracts the top talent in the sport, all vying for the prestigious title on the red dirt.
Notably absent from this year's draw is the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish star, who is the world's second-ranked player, is unable to compete due to an injury, leaving the title up for grabs.
For Rublev, the focus remains on his immediate task. With Safin's experienced guidance, he will be looking to navigate the draw and make a deep run in the tournament, starting with his match against Kecmanovic.
The training session highlights the ongoing partnership between the current Russian number one and one of his country's most celebrated tennis figures. Safin's insights and experience at the highest level are invaluable assets for Rublev as he competes on the ATP Tour.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.