Alexander Bublik has admitted he received a reprimand from captain Andre Agassi during practice for the 2026 Laver Cup, where the Russian-born Kazakh star is making his Team World debut in London.
Speaking ahead of the team competition, Bublik joked that Agassi and vice-captain Pat Rafter had banned him from attempting underarm serves. However, his chipped forehand return also drew criticism from the American captain.
Agassi's frustration with Bublik's shot selection
“I do like his smile. It does light up a room. I don't like his chip forehand return, but he only did that twice today,” Agassi said. Bublik acknowledged the American's frustration, admitting: “And I got s*** for it, to be honest.”
Agassi added: “Everybody brings a different strength to the game, and you could make a lot of arguments for his versatility and unpredictability as being a significant asset and… weapon on a tennis court. But there's a lot to be said for controlled aggression when your body blows can hurt a player and you're not even taking a risk with the swing. So somewhere in between that pendulum is his answer.”
Upside-down shot divides fans
Bublik's repertoire also includes an upside-down shot, which he used during a match against Rinky Hijikata at Indian Wells this year, holding the racket by its head and using the grip to nudge the ball over the net to win a point.
It was not the first time he attempted such a play. In 2022, during the final of the Moselle Open, the same upside-down effort cost him a point against Lorenzo Sonego. While fans at Indian Wells embraced the eccentricity, boos rang out in France after Sonego recovered to win the point.
“No wonder the boos come. This is the final of an ATP 250 event,” the Tennis TV commentator said. “He’s one break down, now he’s two breaks down. He is unravelling fast. Outrageous. What is happening here? I can’t believe he’s done that.”
