Andrey Rublev is set to defend his Masters 1000 title for the first time at the 2025 Madrid Open.
In 2024, Rublev clinched the Madrid Open championship, overcoming Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final match with a score of 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
This victory marked Rublev’s second title at the Masters 1000 level, following his win at the Monte-Carlo Masters the previous year.
Currently ranked world number eight, Rublev has faced challenges with his form in 2025, securing just two tour-level wins since his Qatar Open triumph in February.
Rublev Expresses Concern Over Doping Regulations
Ahead of the Madrid Open, Rublev opened up about his apprehensions regarding tennis’s doping regulations. He described the issue as one that “scares” him. “We are required to document where we will be every hour of the day. A failure to comply can result in serious penalties,” he remarked, highlighting the stress associated with such stringent rules.
Rublev recounted a recent close call where he almost received a warning due to a schedule oversight, saying, “Yesterday, I forgot to update my schedule when I arrived in Madrid. Fortunately, nothing severe happened.” He believes that the current system is overly stressful and can negatively affect players’ health.
Rublev’s Path to His Second Madrid Open Title
As he prepares to defend his title, Rublev’s record indicates that the Madrid Open is his most successful tournament at the Masters 1000 level, boasting a win rate of 79% at the event. He has been drawn on what could be considered the easier side of the draw, allowing him to potentially avoid matchups against top contenders like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz until the final.
In the second round, Rublev is set to face either Gael Monfils or a yet-to-be-determined qualifier on April 25. He may encounter a formidable challenge in the quarterfinals against Munich Open champion Alexander Zverev, with whom he has a history of competitive matches.
The Russian holds a 3-7 record against Zverev but recently defeated him in their last clay encounter. Only time will tell if Rublev can secure another win against Zverev in his quest for a second consecutive Madrid Open title.
