"I have no words to describe how I feel right now. A week ago I was done with the tournament, and yet here I am, holding the winner’s trophy. It’s truly unbelievable how one’s life can change in just a week", said the blond Russian after receiving the big blue trophy from Goran Ivanišević, delegate of the Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.
Rublev has made Umag’s history in more ways than one. Firstly, he is the youngest winner ever, dethroning the legendary king of Umag, Carlos Moya. The five-time winner Moya first won the tournament back in 1996, when he was just nine days shy of his 20th birthday. Rublev triumphed at 19 years, nine months and four days. It is both a moment and a fact to remember.
With this feat, Rublev has confirmed his status of one of the emerging stars of the international tennis, the so-called Next Gen. He is also only the second teenager to win an ATP tournament this season, the other one being Germany’s Alexander Zverev. Moreover, with this win, he has entered the Top 50 in the world.
