Tennis professional Alexander Bublik has secured a staggering payday of £118,000 simply for a two-hour practice session with world number one Carlos Alcaraz, an arrangement that perfectly highlights the lucrative nature of the sport's elite levels.
The Lucrative Alternate Role
The 28-year-old Kazakh player, currently ranked world number 11, is attending the ATP Finals in Turin for the first time as the first alternate. This role requires him to remain on-site throughout the competition, ready to step in should any of the eight qualified players withdraw during the group stage.
For this readiness, alternates are guaranteed a substantial £118,000 fee. Bublik earned this sum after his training hit with the two-time Wimbledon champion, Carlos Alcaraz, at the Inalpi Arena, where the Spanish star emerged victorious in their practice match.
Bublik's Candid Confessions on Tennis
Despite the financial windfall, Bublik's history suggests he may not have relished the high-profile session. Known for his outspoken nature, he has made headlines in the past for his blunt admissions about his relationship with the game.
Bublik, whose career prize money totals nearly £5 million, has previously stated, "I hate every day I have to play. To be honest, I don't see any positive aspect to being a tennis player. I only play for money."
He even went so far as to claim, "If there were no money at stake, I would stop playing. I haven't earned enough, otherwise I would have retired already, and I think I will probably die playing tennis." This philosophy was also evident when he sarcastically referenced rival Jannik Sinner's attitude towards wealth on the Tennis Channel.
A Change of Heart and Clarification
However, in 2022, Bublik moved to clarify his controversial remarks, blaming the media for taking his words out of context. He explained that his comment about playing for money was made at a specific time when he was not enjoying his profession.
"As time went by and it has been three years since that interview, things have changed a lot and I do enjoy playing tennis now because I realized that this is what I wanted to do when I was a kid," Bublik said.
He revealed a more romantic side to his career ambitions, confessing to childhood dreams of emulating his idols. "When I was growing up I was standing in front of the mirror wearing Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer clothes dreaming of playing in (tennis) arenas," he shared, adding, "I definitely enjoy and love playing tennis."
Back at the ATP Finals, the financial rewards continue to be immense. The eight qualified players each receive £252,000 just for participating, with the undefeated champion taking home a colossal £3.8 million cheque, putting Bublik's substantial alternate fee into perspective.
