Well, Bublík can, and although he’s been struggling in the top 50 for about seven years, he’s started to pull it together in the last 12 months.
Bublík talks about how tennis is a “show” for him, and what’s the point of being on a show if you’re not having fun?
Alexander Bublik during last year’s victory over Jannik Sinner in Halle.Credit: Getty Images
The 28-year-old has become famous for his on-court antics, and there’s an endless stream of viral moments where he’s clearly having a blast on court.
Like when he jumped into the crowd at the 2024 Adelaide International while trying to get to the ball and helped himself to a fan’s packet of chips.
Or when he passed the racket to a ball kid this week during the Kooyong Classic and let him play a few points (not the first time he’s done that).
Otherwise, it’s his frequent use of the tweener or underarm serve that gets the crowd going and keeps his opponents on their toes.
Despite the fact that he has accepted “his way”, this does not mean that he is rigid. He is open to changing something in his game or in his routine – but the change has to come from himself, not from anyone else.
If he wants to exercise for an hour, he will do it. But if he thinks he needs more time on the field, he is just as willing to go out to hit more balls.
But it’s not all about the grind, says Bublík. “Yes, we do it for a living, but at the end of the day it’s just a game that people play for fun.”
He’s as much an entertainer as he is a tennis player, and so far it’s working for him.
Alexander Bublik after defeating Alex de Minaur at the French Open last year.Credit: Getty Images
“Me and my team never call tennis a real big sport. For me it’s fun because you can have different ways to play it,” he said.
“You can find someone who can be talented but not physically fit, but still actually be a good tennis player. Someone can be super physical, but no talent at all, but still be able to go out and get some results… To me, this sport is about fun.
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“It’s good, it’s physical, it’s technical, it’s tactical, but there’s room for fun and I think it’s a game first and foremost, it’s not a sport. It’s not weightlifting, it’s a game. There are different rules. You can play that way, doubles, mixed, short court, big court, whatever you can play because it’s a game.”
Bublík should face American Jenson Brooksby in the first round on Sunday.
Read more about the Australian Open
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