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Rublev Rallies for Madrid Open Title Despite Illness and Injury
Andrey Rublev (26) defied illness and a painful foot injury to capture the Madrid Open title on Sunday. The Russian battled past Felix Auger-Aliassime (23) 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, despite battling a mysterious virus for most of the tournament.
Fighting Through Illness and Anesthesia
Rublev, visibly drained throughout the week, revealed his struggles in a post-match press conference. “I’m still sick,” he admitted. “I’ll be heading back to the hospital tomorrow for a full checkup.” He further explained battling the virus for an unusually long duration, typically recovering from illnesses within a few days.
An additional hurdle came in the form of a foot injury. “They had to numb my toe because it got inflamed and swollen, putting pressure on the bone,” Rublev said. “It felt like a break, so they numbed it to allow me to play without pain.”
Tournament Triumph After Slump
This victory comes at a crucial time for Rublev, who entered the Madrid Open on a four-match losing streak. He defied the odds, however, defeating high-profile opponents like home favorite Carlos Alcaraz (2nd seed) and American Taylor Fritz to reach the final.
“Ups and downs are normal,” Rublev acknowledged. “But my focus remains on improvement through hard work. I played great tennis throughout the tournament and ultimately secured the title.” While celebrating the win, Rublev emphasized the importance of recovery before the upcoming Rome Open.
