Andrey Rublev is now in Madrid. Last year’s champion has touched down in the Spanish capital as he prepares for his assault on his second Mutua Madrid Open title. It will not, however, be an easy task. Only Rafael Nadal (2013 and 2014) and Carlos Alcaraz (2022 and 2023) have managed to notch up consecutive titles in the Caja Magica.

The world number nine spoke to the press in the traditional Media Day on Monday and he is excited to start his title defence at the tournament. “I’m very happy to be here, it’s a great tournament and I can’t wait for it to start. I have very special memories from last year and defending my trophy here is a great challenge”.

He knows what he is talking about. Alcaraz and Nadal are not the only ghosts he will have to overcome this week. Rublev himself has never had a successful title defence in his career. He will be bidding for his first in Madrid. Winning a Masters 1000 is no mean feat, winning the same one in consecutive years is something few are capable of.

He is particularly proud of his achievement twelve months ago: “This is the tournament I’m proudest of. I’d never faced anything like that in my life. I’d never felt so ill. That was the worst, I couldn’t eat or even breathe. And I managed to play. I don’t know. I feel proud because in the end I showed that it doesn’t matter how you feel, everything’s in your head.

Andrey was talking about the illness he endured during last year’s tournament: “Last year, although it may sound paradoxical, my illness helped me. It made me focus. I work hard to give my best and being unwell made me focus only on playing and nothing more”. The former doubles champion in the Caja Magica also noted with a smile: “I’m not sure if it’s a good thing that I’m feeling well this year. When I was sick I managed to win the tournament, maybe when I’m healthy it’ll be worse for me!”

Rublev has noticed the difference in his practice compared to last year: “My preparations are very different compared to 2024. The focus when you arrive as defending champion is different and you get a lot of attention, but I want to enjoy the experience of being here and to see what I’m capable of achieving. I only think match by match”. Focusing only on his opener at the tournament is perhaps his first victory at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open.