Andrey Rublev just delivered one of the most refreshingly honest post-match interviews you’ll see at the 2025 Australian Open.
The Russian star might have one of tennis’s most frustrating records. He’s reached 10 Grand Slam quarter-finals but has never made it past that stage. Not once.
He’s been to at least one quarter-final at every major tournament. But breaking through to a semi? That’s been his tennis nightmare.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrey Rublev | 28 | 4,710 | 24 - 10 |
A Solid Start Down Under
Rublev got his 2025 campaign off to a good start, beating Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets: 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. Pretty straightforward stuff for the world No. 9.
But it wasn’t his tennis that had people talking afterward.
During his on-court interview, Rublev was asked about his next opponent, Jaime Faria. The Portuguese player is ranked 151st and made it through qualifying to reach the main draw.
Rublev’s response? Brutally honest.
"I don’t know who I’m playing because I didn’t check the draw. You told me the name, and I still don’t know the guy. So I will need to check, to do some research, to see how he’s playing."
When Honesty Gets Awkward
Most players would give some diplomatic answer about respecting every opponent. Not Rublev.
He kept it real, explaining that against lower-ranked players, the match is basically his to lose.
"Then, obviously, of course, it’s always about me, and doesn’t matter, of course, you can have a tactic, but then it’s about you, if you’re going to do it, or if you’re going to miss balls."
The interview got even more awkward when the reporter asked about Melbourne’s playing conditions. Rublev seemed genuinely confused by the question.
"It’s true we don’t have a lot of connection. I don’t know what to say, conditions, it’s Australia. It’s outdoors. Of course it’s different, sometimes it’s super hot, then it’s super windy, then it’s cloudy. It’s a part of the sport, I don’t know, you’ve been watching tennis for many years."
You can almost feel the secondhand embarrassment through the screen.
A Potential Path to Redemption
If Rublev gets past Faria, things could get interesting fast. Francisco Cerundolo, the 18th seed, could be waiting in round three.
Then the draw gets really tough. Rublev might face back-to-back matches against Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev – two guys he knows pretty well.
Actually, he knows Medvedev really well. Rublev is the godfather to Medvedev’s daughter, Alisa. They’ve got a genuine friendship off the court.
But if they meet this year, it would be in the quarter-finals. That stage that’s been Rublev’s tennis kryptonite for his entire career.
At 27, Rublev isn’t getting any younger. He’s won 16 ATP titles and has been as high as No. 5 in the world. But without a Grand Slam semi-final on his résumé, something’s always going to feel missing.
Maybe 2025 is finally the year he breaks through. Or maybe we’ll get another dose of his refreshingly honest post-match interviews after yet another quarter-final loss.
Either way, you’ve got to love a guy who tells it like it is.
