Andrey Rublev challenges Carlos Alcaraz: “he is not invincible, I want to beat him.”

Andrey Rublev, the Russian tennis player who is regaining his form in 2026, has expressed a fierce determination to challenge the dominance of Carlos Alcaraz, who has proven unbeatable in the early tournaments of the season, including the Australian Open and Doha. In incisive statements, Rublev declared that he does not consider Alcaraz invincible and that he is more than ready to fight for victory.

“My feeling is that I want to beat Carlos. I want to be competitive enough to win titles. We cannot take it for granted that he is invincible. It is necessary to respect Carlos and all the other opponents, but at the same time, it is crucial to believe in ourselves and think that we can win. If we don’t believe, it’s better not to step onto the court,” Rublev stated in an interview with Marca. These words reveal not only the Russian’s ambition but also the demanding mindset that characterizes him.

Recently, Rublev has been benefiting from a new collaboration with the legendary Marat Safin, which has brought new energy and motivation to his game. The Russian tennis player emphasized the importance of this partnership, saying: “I trust Safin blindly. He is always right.” This confidence is a fundamental pillar for Rublev, who acknowledges that he is in a process of evolution as a player, adding new skills to his repertoire.

One of Rublev’s focuses has been on his net game, an area he admitted he has not explored throughout his career. “Many players need to make these changes, but when you’re in a match and in good form, you tend to rely on the weapons that have always worked for you. The key is to try to use these new weapons, even if they don’t work immediately. This may sacrifice some matches and even months of negative results, but in the long run, that effort will be rewarded,” Rublev explained, demonstrating a deep understanding of the adaptation process.

In a lighter tone, Rublev also commented on his relationship with Safin: “We don’t talk about it much, but obviously, it’s Marat who believes. He says, ‘Let’s do this and see how it goes.’ You automatically trust him. He’s always right.” This dynamic between the two seems to be a driving force for Rublev, who seeks not only to reclaim his place among the best but also to challenge the giants of contemporary tennis.

With this renewed mindset and a new approach to his game, Andrey Rublev is ready to face the challenges that the 2026 season holds for him and, who knows, win titles that reestablish him among the best on the circuit. The battle is on, and Rublev’s determination could be the necessary difference to surprise the tennis world.