Alexander Bublik, the Russian-born Kazakhstani tennis player, has never been one to hold back. Known for his scathing rants about rivals and himself, he believes his candour is a refreshing break from the 'fake world' of professional tennis. 'I think emotions are emotions,' he says. 'We live in a world where everyone tries to fake... there's nothing wrong in just releasing your emotions.'
Bublik's outspokenness has divided opinion, but his recent form has been undeniable. After falling out of the top 80 last year, he dropped to the Challenger circuit—a low point that forced change. 'No one wants to be 80 in the world,' he reflects. 'It was a hit.'
His turnaround was swift. He reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final at the French Open, defeating top-10 players Alex de Minaur and Jack Draper. He then beat world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to win the ATP 500 title in Halle. With five titles in the past year, Bublik broke into the top 10 in January, now sitting at No. 11.
However, maintaining that status is tough, as shown by his third-round loss to Learner Tien at the Italian Open. With significant points to defend, including at Roland Garros, his handling of pressure will be key.
One constant is his willingness to speak his mind. In a recent interview, he dismissed doubles specialists as not 'proper tennis players,' calling doubles 'not real tennis.' His views, like his game, remain unpredictable.
