apEX: We want to prove that our success in 2025 was no accident

Ahead of StarSeries Fall 2026, Vitality in-game leader apEX gave a pre-tournament interview. He looked back on the 2026 season, discussed the team’s current form, and talked about his personal plans for the break.

Q: apEX, 2026 has been quite a roller-coaster year for CS2. Looking back on everything that's happened so far this year, which moment or story stands out to you the most?

apEX: Honestly, I don't even know... Let's go with us winning five titles in a row again.

Q: Considering the form you were in at the start of the year, is doing it again still a surprise to you?

apEX: Of course. I’m definitely still hoping we can win the title, because we want to prove that 2025 wasn’t just a one-off year where everything went especially well for us — we can still do the same this year.

But I honestly didn't expect us to go on another run and keep winning titles event after event. It felt like living through a dream all over again, and I didn't even think something like that could happen a second time.

Q: There’s still no StarSeries trophy in your cabinet, but ropz already has his name engraved on this one. Is it his turn to help bring one home for you this time?

apEX: Yeah. He had never won a BLAST title before joining Vitality, but since he joined, we've won at least five BLAST titles together, something like that. So now it's his turn to help me win a StarSeries title (laughs).

Q: I also wanted to ask how you usually relax. We've talked before about how, even when you're taking a break, it seems like you're still constantly thinking about tactics. What does it actually take for apEX to truly "switch off" and properly rest for a day?

apEX: Recently, it’s become a bit easier for me. Sometimes I really can stop myself from thinking about CS. But I can’t just do nothing; if anything, I need to keep finding things to do. That way my mind is still active, but at least it isn’t focused on CS.

For example, I’ll go out with friends, eat at some nice restaurants, work out, or do something outdoors like hiking. Basically, it’s about doing things that are completely different.

And taking naps too—I really love napping. I think it helps me a lot.

Q: So are you the type to take really long naps? Like sleeping for one or two hours at a time?

apEX: It depends. If it's just me, I usually wouldn't sleep that long. But my partner is pregnant right now, and she gets tired easily, so our naps tend to be really long these days (laughs).

She sleeps for a really long time. I sleep a bit less, but honestly, I still end up sleeping a little too long as well.