Mutua Madrid Open: Defending champion Andrey Rublev loses cool, throws racquet and receives warning before shocking exit

Defending champion Andrey Rublev has crashed out of the ongoing Mutua Madrid Open 2025. Notably, the Russian star went on to win the title back in 2024 while dealing with an illness and later ended up in the hospital for two days after lifting the trophy in the Spanish capital, Madrid.

However, the star player has failed to replicate his success in 2025 and suffered a shocking third-round exit in the prestigious tournament. He then received a bye in his opening round and directly played the Round of 62. However, he advanced into the Round of 32 as legendary player Gael Monfils pulled out due to injury, and this game was adjusted as a 'walkover.'

Notably, the 27-year-old star player was seen throwing his racquet in frustration after getting broken at the start of the third and final set and later received a warning from the chair umpire. That break proved very crucial and allowed his opponent, Alexander Bublik, to storm into the pre-quarters.

.
Bublik is so smart... : "I have to keep my serve going and breaking up the rythm. I mean, I cannot outplay Andrey, we all know that. I am the creator, I am the artist. I have to bring him to my field, and it worked perfectly this time."

Rublev ranked n°17 now...
Since he got… pic.twitter.com/pOlRTOaOQu

— Elie from Tennis Metrics ! (@Tennis_Metrics) April 27, 2025

Alexander Bublik storms into the pre-quarters of Madrid Open

Alexander Bublik has defeated Andrey Rublev with a scoreline of 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 to storm into the fourth round. Notably, Rublev's title defense seemed to be in trouble when he lost the opening set of the game. However, Russian showcased his best form and staged his remarkable comeback in the next set to level up the game. Thereafter, the 27-year-old tennis star failed to capitalize on the winning run and faltered badly in the third and final set.

“I mean, I cannot outplay Andrey, we all know that. He’s an incredible athlete, he’s better than me in all the aspects if we talk about work. But I’m the creator, I’m the artist of certain things and for me it was important to keep him away from his work ethic and bring him into my field which worked perfectly this time. So I decided to just, you know, give away the set, refocus and try to bring my game again. So that really worked this time and I’m really, really happy about that,” Bublik said.