Andrey Rublev overcame illness and a foot injury to claim the Madrid Open title in a thrilling final against Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Russian battled through a suspected virus and an anaesthetised foot to secure his second Masters 1000 title in just under three hours.
Rublev, who has been struggling with health issues throughout the tournament, revealed that he will need to return to the hospital for a full check-up to make a full recovery. Despite feeling unwell for over a week, he managed to push through and deliver an impressive performance on the court.
The seventh seed even had to have an anaesthetic injected into his foot to alleviate the pain and swelling, allowing him to play without discomfort. Despite coming into the tournament in poor form, Rublev managed to defeat top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz on his way to the final.
Reflecting on his victory, Rublev expressed his determination to continue working hard and improving his game. He credited his focus and perseverance for his success in Madrid and emphasized the importance of recovering quickly for the upcoming tournament in Rome.
With his resilience and fighting spirit, Andrey Rublev has proven himself as a formidable force in the world of tennis, overcoming obstacles both on and off the court to emerge victorious in the Madrid Open.