Andrey Rublev's Tough Start at Roland-Garros

A History of First-Round Struggles

Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev has a well-documented history of facing adversity in the first round of the French Open. In his six previous main draw appearances at Roland-Garros, Rublev has only won his opening match twice.

2024: Upset by Matteo Arnaldi

In 2024, Rublev fell to Italian qualifier Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets (7-68, 6-2, 6-4) in a stunning upset. Arnaldi, ranked 210th in the world at the time, played aggressively and forced Rublev into uncharacteristic errors.

2023: Mentality Struggles

Prior to 2024, Rublev had also lost his first-round match in 2023, dropping a four-set battle to American Mackenzie McDonald. After the loss, Rublev admitted to struggling mentally in the match and not being able to find his rhythm.

Potential Reasons for Struggles

There are several theories about why Rublev has struggled in the first round of Roland-Garros. Some analysts believe the clay surface at Roland-Garros does not suit his aggressive style of play. Others suggest that the pressure of playing in a Grand Slam can sometimes affect his performance.

Outlook for 2025

Despite his past struggles, Rublev remains one of the most promising players on the ATP Tour. He will be looking to turn his fortunes around at Roland-Garros in 2025 and make a deep run into the tournament.