The French Open has been full of surprises, and Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik is definitely one of them.
After a solid win over Portuguese qualifier Henrique Rocha, Bublik sailed through to the fourth round with a confident 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 victory on the Simonne-Mathieu court.
The match lasted just under two hours, and Bublik looked sharp throughout.
Climbing the Ranks Was a Big Deal — But It Took Its Toll
After the match, Bublik opened up about his career journey, especially about reaching world No. 17 — a milestone he never really expected.
“Getting into the top 20 was huge for me,” he shared. But hitting that peak came with pressure.
He started pushing himself harder: practicing more, fixing his diet, cutting back on partying.
He likened himself to a “professional soldier,” facing the grind that top players endure every day.
However, the climb wasn’t all smooth sailing. Bublik explained that his drop in rankings wasn’t due to laziness or a lack of effort.
In fact, he burned out waiting for results to come despite all the hard work.
“I kept thinking, if I do this, that, and the other, the points will come. But they didn’t. It was frustrating,” he admitted.
A Vegas Break Helped Recharge His Batteries
Things took a turn when his coach suggested a change of scenery — a quick trip to Las Vegas between tournaments.
Bublik was honest about it: “Vegas was a hangover trip, just three good days to have fun.”
That break gave him space to breathe, step away from the intense pressure, and come back refreshed.
Next Up Is a Tough Challenge Against Britain’s Jack Draper
Looking ahead, Bublik is set to face Great Britain’s Jack Draper in the next round.
He didn’t hold back his admiration for Draper, calling him “insane” and praising his rapid rise in the rankings from 300 to the top 10 in just a few years.
Bublik recalled their first match years ago, when Draper was just a kid in the qualifiers at Queen’s.
Now, with Draper at the top of his game, Bublik knows he’ll need courage and his best tennis to compete.
Being ‘Normal’ in a World of Tennis Robots
Bublik’s approach to tennis and life stands out because he keeps things “normal” by his own definition.
He’s the kind of guy you might see hanging out in Paris the night before a match — social but not reckless.
He admits he sometimes skips practice or takes it easy when he’s not feeling it, which surprises many who expect top athletes to grind 24/7.
“I think I’m pretty normal,” he said. “But other players might seem unusual compared to me.”
He has wins against top 10 players and knows many of the best on tour, yet he still feels like a regular guy off the court.
Playing Tennis His Way Means Breaking the Mold
That “normal” attitude doesn’t translate fully to his game style.
Bublik explained he can’t play like everyone else.
“If I just kick serve to the backhand, I’m going to get smashed every time. I have to be different.”
His game relies on creativity and unpredictability because long rallies aren’t his strength.
He also touched on the pressure social media puts on athletes, saying it pushes players to be something they’re not.
“We don’t have to be the best version of ourselves all the time. We just have to be ourselves.”
Authenticity Is Bublik’s Winning Formula
Whether on or off the court, Alexander Bublik stays true to himself.
His unique style and candid personality make his matches entertaining and his story relatable.
As he heads into what promises to be an exciting fourth-round showdown with Draper, fans can expect more of that authentic flair.