Alexander Bublik Snubs Handshake with Rival at Paris Masters

In a surprising incident at the Paris Masters, Alexander Bublik declined to shake hands with Alexei Popyrin following their first-round match. The Kazakh player, seeded No. 13, secured a victory with a score of 6-4, 6-3 on Monday. However, instead of acknowledging Popyrin at the net, Bublik walked directly to the umpire’s chair.

Match Highlights

Fans expressed confusion over Bublik’s refusal to shake hands, especially as the match unfolded without any apparent conflict. A pivotal moment occurred in the second set when Popyrin, facing break points at 0-2, won a challenging rally. During this exchange, he benefitted from two fortunate net cords but did not offer an apology, which is customary among players after such incidents.

Despite this, Bublik quickly regained momentum, breaking back to lead 4-2. He concluded the match without difficulty, taking 1 hour and 14 minutes to secure his victory. After shaking hands with the umpire, he gathered his belongings while Popyrin exited the court.

Bublik’s Performance Analysis

Bublik showcased a solid performance, hitting 31 winners compared to 16 unforced errors. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with his overall play. “I definitely didn’t play my best today,” Bublik remarked after the match. He acknowledged the challenge of adjusting to a new venue, suggesting that both players struggled to find their rhythm.

Season Recovery

This year has marked a resurgence for Bublik, who fell out of the top 80 rankings in March. His season highlights include:

• Reaching the Phoenix Challenger final.
• Winning the Turin Challenger in spring.
• Advancing to the quarter-finals of the French Open.
• Claiming the Halle title by defeating Jannik Sinner.
• Winning three additional titles in Gstaad, Kitzbuhel, and Hangzhou.

Now ranked higher than ever, Bublik aims for a top-10 debut while prioritizing his health. He commented on the importance of staying injury-free, especially given the number of players dealing with injuries on tour. “If you stay healthy, you can play more events and be more stable throughout the season,” he explained.

Future Aspirations

Bublik noted that achieving a top-10 ranking is an attainable goal, provided he performs well in upcoming tournaments. With several events already completed this season, he remains focused on maintaining peak performance and taking advantage of opportunities as they arise.