Former coach of Gambit Esports and Cloud9, Konstantin “Groove” Pikiner, shared his thoughts on the current individual performance level of Sergey “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov.
Groove explained that it is generally very difficult to accurately assess a team`s performance, a coach`s work, or a player`s form from the outside because observers are not aware of all the intricate details. They lack knowledge of internal team dynamics, the specific tasks assigned to a player by the coach and captain, or what might be happening in the player`s personal life. He emphasized that a player`s performance is often a result of a confluence of various factors.
He suggested that potential reasons for Ax1Le`s current form could include the team`s style of play not being suitable for him, or a change in roles, which Ax1Le has indeed experienced. Groove noted that players naturally go through such periods in their careers. He drew a contrast with Ax1Le`s performance at the beginning of the year when he joined BetBoom Team with Boombl4 in January. During the BLAST online qualifier at that time, Ax1Le demonstrated “phenomenal statistics” and “almost single-handedly closed out most matches,” even against opponents who were “a cut above” their current competition.
Burnout is also a possibility. While not speaking definitively about Ax1Le specifically, Groove reiterated that a change in position is a significant factor. He explained that years of accumulated knowledge and confidence require substantial readjustment when a radical change occurs, and this process is not quick. Some players adapt rapidly, while others take longer, and this speed of adaptation is distinct from the player`s overall skill level.
Finley Holt