Andrey Rublev, 19, is into the quarterfinals of the United States Open, where he will face top-seeded Rafael Nadal. Two years ago during the Open, Rublev was making very different waves: sonic ones.
With three friends, Rublev formed a One Direction cover band called Summer Afternoon, and released a music video for the band’s song “Steal My Girl.”
“We were just having fun,” Rublev said of the band, which has not released any follow-up songs. “Now, tennis is my life. Since I was a kid I always liked music; I was trying also to play guitar.