The chip-eating, underarm-serving Kazakh who will captivate Australia
Bublik can do it, and despite being in the top 50 for nearly seven years, things have started to look up in the last 12 months.
The mentality Bublik is talking about is that, in his opinion, tennis is a “show” and what’s the point of being in a show if you’re not having fun?
Alexander Bublik beating Jannik Sinner in Halle last year.Credit: Getty Images
The 28-year-old has become famous for his on-field antics and has an endless stream of viral moments where he’s clearly having a lot of fun on the field.
For example, at the 2024 Adelaide International, when he jumped into the crowd and grabbed a bag of chips from the fans while trying to catch the ball.
Or at the Kooyong Classic this week, when he gave a ball boy his racquet and let him play a few points (it wasn’t the first time he’d done that).
Otherwise, it’s his frequent use of the break or underarm serve that gets the crowd going and keeps his opponents on their toes.
Although he embraces “his own way”, this does not mean that he is rigid. Open to changing things in his game or routine; But the change must come from oneself, not from anyone else.
If he wants to practice for an hour, he can. But if he feels he needs more time on the field, he is equally willing to go out to hit more balls.
But Bublik says it’s not all about the grind. “Yes, we make a living from it, but ultimately it’s just a game people play for fun.”
He’s an entertainer as well as a tennis player, and so far it’s working for him.
Alexander Bublik after defeating Alex de Minaur at the French Open last year.Credit: Getty Images
“Me and my team, we never call tennis a big sport. For me, tennis is entertainment because you can play it in different ways,” he said.
“Someone can be talented but not physically fit but still be a good tennis player. Someone can be super physical but have no talent but still be able to run out and get some results… To me, this sport is about fun.”
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“It’s good, it’s physical, it’s technical, it’s tactical, but there’s room for fun, and I think it’s a game first and foremost, not a sport. It’s not a weightlifting, it’s a game. There are different rules. This way, that way, doubles, mixed, short court, big court, whatever you play, because it’s a game.”
Bublik will face American Jenson Brooksby in the first round on Sunday.
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