Bublik: the clown, the villain, or just a tennis player?

Alexander Bublik, Kazakhstan’s most unpredictable star, is back under the spotlight. And no, we’re not just talking about his wild drop shots or slapstick antics straight out of a Molière play, but about his ongoing show where sarcasm and chaos reign supreme. In Turin, like elsewhere, the tennis showman sparks passion… and plenty of controversy.

Bublik’s scandals aren’t news. During the 2023 US Open, he sparked outrage when cameras picked up a comment muttered in Russian during a match against Dominic Thiem: “I’m tired of fixing disabled people’s careers.” Thiem, a Grand Slam champion, was fighting his way back from injury. Bublik, rather than show support, chose mockery.

But this semifinal in Turin brought a strange twist: a small group of young fans shouted “Vamos Bublik!” from a side street near the stadium. Admiration? Irony? Solidarity with the tennis rebel? Who knows. One thing’s certain — Bublik thrives on ambiguity. He knows he’s different. And perhaps he enjoys being remembered more for his provocations than for his points.

Today, May 18, he faces “the Chinese robot,” as he mockingly called Yunchaokete Bu. A quiet, methodical talent, Bu is pure focus and discipline — Bublik’s polar opposite. This matchup promises fireworks.

Will Bublik be the clown again? The provocateur? Or, perhaps, a tennis player?
Because sometimes, amid the grimaces and broken racquets, we forget that Alexander Bublik actually plays tennis. And sometimes… he even wins.

Final note to reflect on:
Tennis is a show, yes. But it’s not an ethics-free circus. When jokes cross the line of respect, even the best punchline turns sour. And though the crowd may cheer the jester, the most meaningful applause is still earned with greatness — not just with wit.