'My level of tennis has reached a ceiling' - Andrey Rublev bereft after early Shanghai loss, parts ways with fitness coach

Following another disappointing loss on the ATP Tour, former World No.5 Andrey Rublev appears to be making changes to his coaching team as he has parted ways with Marcos Borderias, his fitness coach.

Rublev faced Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka in the opening round at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, with the Russian expected to find a way past his opponent. However, it was Nishioka who defeated the 13th seed, recording a 2-6 6-1 6-4 victory to send Rublev packing in the early stages of yet another tournament.

The Russian has been on a disappointing run since reaching the round of 16 at last month's US Open. Rublev fell to Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime at Flushing Meadows, and has lost three consecutive matches after being ousted in New York.

Although the 27-year old won a title at the Qatar Open earlier this year, he currently looks like a shell of his former self. The World No.14 added former Grand Slam champion Marat Safin to his coaching team this summer, and has made more changes in order to change his fortune.

Rublev parts ways with fitness coach after Shanghai exit

Marcos Borderias, Rublev's fitness coach for the last three years, announced his departure from the Russian's team. The Spanish coach took to social media to share a message after their successful partnership came to an end.

"Closing an amazing three-year chapter full of learning, growth and great experiences,” Borderias wrote on Instagram. “Grateful for the opportunity and everything I’ve lived along the way,” he explained as Rublev continues his introspective look into his career."

Following his loss to Nishioka at the Shanghai Masters, Rublev was brutally frank about his current level of play.

"It’s not that they’ve figured out my game,” said Rublev in his post-match conference. “It’s just that my level of tennis has reached a ceiling. That’s it. Either I continue to be stuck in the top 20, with all the young players pushing me down the rankings further and further, or try to drastically change everything and give myself a chance for the rest of my career."