They told him that Andrey was a bit down," Vicente recounts the collaboration between Rublev and Safin
Marat Safin joined Andrey Rublev's team last April. Even though he is not with the Russian full-time, Safin has taken on the role of a mentor.
Fernando Vicente, Rublev's coach, described this collaboration in an interview with Mundo Deportivo: "He has a mixed role. He often comes to Barcelona; he has an apartment in Barcelona and a house in Ibiza.
We said to each other: 'Marat, let's meet up one of these days. Andrey is going through a tough time.' Andrey was a bit depressed, and we tried to find a solution, but he couldn't calm down.
Marat then made him understand that he had gone through a similar experience himself. They met at the academy, had a very interesting conversation, and Marat agreed to help him.
He said he would help us for a few weeks, but it wasn't certain yet. He has participated in several tournaments, but he can't do it permanently.
The idea is for him to gradually integrate and spend a few weeks with us. Andrey respects him a lot and understands what he explains to him—all those reactions and excuses that players sometimes use when things go wrong.
He tries to understand what's happening to him. And I would say he helps him a lot; I appreciate that.
