Andrey Rublev’s Monte-Carlo Masters opener delivered more concern than comfort after the former champion battled past Nuno Borges while carrying a shoulder problem. The Russian said the pain became serious enough that he briefly thought about stopping, then revealed he needed a medical timeout and what he jokingly called a “horse dose of painkillers” to stay in the match.
Rublev’s win came with a clear warning sign
Rublev started the match in control, but the tone changed when shoulder discomfort appeared during his serving motion. He left the court for treatment after the issue worsened, then returned to take the first set 6-4 before Borges hit back hard in the second set with a 6-1 win.
The deciding set brought a sharp swing again, as Rublev recovered his rhythm and closed out the contest 6-1. The scoreline showed a comeback, but the physical problem left the bigger question hanging over the rest of his tournament.
Rublev said the match felt more like a mental battle than a clean victory. “Obviously, I think today was exactly a mental victory for me, because in one moment, I thought, okay, it’s done. And then I was able to kind of, okay, let’s just accept it, let’s just kind of trust,” he said after the match.
He added that the turnaround came almost unexpectedly. “In the end, somehow, out of nowhere, I start to feel better. I was able to fight again, to play better, and in the end, I was able to win a match,” he said.
How the shoulder problem developed
The discomfort first emerged after a changeover when Rublev returned to serve at 4-3. He said the pain increased quickly after his first serve, which forced him into a medical timeout and changed the shape of the match.
That sequence mattered because Rublev’s serve is a key part of his game on clay, where rhythm and movement often decide long rallies. When the shoulder pain flared, his level dropped sharply and Borges took control for a stretch.
What Rublev said about the painkillers
The most striking comment came when Rublev described how he managed to continue. Laughing as he answered the question, he said, “The body feeling? I don’t know, because I took a horse dose of painkillers and a medical timeout.”
That remark has added fresh concern around his physical condition, especially because the next stage of the event could demand more from his shoulder. Even though the comment was delivered lightly, it pointed to a match in which medication played a major role in helping him finish.
Why the concern matters in Monte-Carlo
Rublev has a strong history at Monte-Carlo, where he won the title in 2023 and has often played well. That record makes his current fitness issue more important, because the draw now asks him to back up a severe physical test with quick recovery time.
The immediate concern is his next match against Zizou Bergs, with Rublev admitting he is not certain how his body will respond. In a tournament where early matches can quickly lead into another heavy clay-court battle, any shoulder issue can affect serve speed, movement, and shot confidence.
Key details from the opener
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Nuno Borges |
| Result | Rublev won after three sets |
| Medical issue | Shoulder pain during serving |
| Treatment | Medical timeout and painkillers |
| Main concern | Fitness for the next round |
Rublev’s comments now leave Monte-Carlo watching closely, because the win kept him alive in the draw but did not remove the concern that the shoulder problem could limit him again when the matches become more demanding.
Read more at: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
