Rublev recalls his first career ATP title in Umag

Andrey Rublev was interviewed by Head, for their "What's in your head?" series. He was asked about his first ATP title in 2017, at Umag.

This title was won under special conditions. Rublev explains: "I remember that at the time I had just broken into the top 100.

I was starting to gain confidence. I'd made the quarter-finals in Halle and had made it through the qualifiers at Wimbledon.

I was improving and I felt that my game was improving too. When I got to Umag, I lost in the qualifying final.

I was lucky that Borna Coric withdrew, so I took his place.

Suddenly, I was free to play, I played very well throughout the tournament, and in the end, I managed to win. It's a great memory."