Andrey Rublev and Alexander Bublik were engaged in a thrilling semi-final clash at the Dubai Tennis Championships 2024 on March 1. However, things unravelled in the third set when Rublev was disqualified for unsportsmanlike behavior. Despite getting the victory, Alexander Bublik jumped to the defense of Rublev and admitted that he felt the Russian was unlucky to get defaulted.
Bublik was largely in defense of Rublev.
“You’re fighting for 3 hrs, then this happens. You’re bad in the media, which I hate. We can easily take away umpires but not players”
“Have you been there? Have you played 3 hrs, going for Top 3/Top 4? We don’t talk about that” pic.twitter.com/0v5YglbxFs
— Srihari (@srihariravi12) March 1, 2024
Speaking in his post match conference, Alexander Bublik said that he was disappointed that Rublev was defaulted and backed him by saying that the players are often under pressure. The Kazakh star felt that the line umpire could have been lenient on the Russian and avoided his disqualification. However, this response by Bublik was matched with a mixed response. While some tennis fans backed Bublik, others felt that Rublev’s disqualification was warranted due to his actions.
In the deciding set in their semi-final, Andrey Rublev lost a point after making an unforced error when the line judge should have called one of Alexander Bublik’s shots out instead in their rally. Rublev then screamed in the face of the line judge before taking his seat. During the break, the match referee disqualified Rublev for unsportsmanlike conduct.
However, Rublev was adamant that he did not say anything wrong to the referee. Even Bublik took Rublev’s side and said that he was happy to continue to play. All this drama resulted in Bublik qualifying for the final.
Fans divided over Alexander Bublik statement on Andrey Rublev
Tennis fans have not taken to the Alexander Bublik’s statement well. The Kazakh star hinted at saying that the life of a tennis player is tough but the fans believe that the tennis stars have everything they need. Both Bublik and Andrey Rublev have earned a lot of money and are constantly competing at the top of the rankings. However, it is the players in the lower rankings that struggle to make a living.
A famous tennis journalist, Mario Bocarrdi, posted a tweet slamming Bublik for his statement and that was met by mixed response too. A large part of the tennis community felt that lower ranked players face tougher situations then these tennis stars as they are paid less. Many also felt that people from other walks of life in different parts of the world need to work harder and for lesser pay to make a living in much difficult conditions and not much of luxury around them. There are people who have much higher stakes to deal and live with, than just being a top tennis player.
There are claims that Bublik defending Rublev is childish and the fact that the Russian’s behavior cannot be defended especially all the time, so such defaults should happen more often. While Bublik has been lauded by his fans or some neutrals for saying that he wouldn’t have minded continuing the match, this statement perhaps is suicidal of sorts since by ‘you’, he seemingly took a shot at journalists, critics and fans slamming Rublev.
I agree with Bublik about the “you have never been in this situation” view but in my opinion players should stop acting as if they do the most difficult job in the world, especially those who are stable into the Top 30/40 and get to play the whole year in the ATP main tour
This… https://t.co/7Z0eqVUQ5M
— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) March 1, 2024
So… because the line judge who was bullied didn’t complain about it, then all should be ok? ♂️
What a childish way of thinking…— Juanito “el Literal” MARTINISTA ️ (@JuanitoLiteral) March 1, 2024
Yeah, that would all be OK if players took responsibility for themselves. Bublik spent ages moaning to the umpire because he said she didn’t tell him when new balls were coming…….
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) March 1, 2024
This is so entitled that I can’t even… do they really think they are the only ones who have pressure??? One thing is to react to a mistake and be pissed, another entirely is to scream to another person’s face.
— Kamila ♀️ | Pink Era (@kamilarmc) March 1, 2024
“We can easily take away umpires.”
— Chris (@Chris5915434641) March 2, 2024
This episode has made me feel sick….I’ve found it hard anyway to watch his angry reactions after many points nothone his way…now gone too far
— elaine v m james (@elainevmjames) March 1, 2024
Well said, Bublik. How is a player not expected to have overwhelming feelings if he got wrong at that point?
— Blanca (@Blanca) March 1, 2024
Calling someone and their live hood replaceable is wild @BublikAlexander you think players are more important than others??? That’s new levels of vanity. You should be thankful for having people there to help you day by day. You are instead saying they should loser their jobs.
— (@andorendless) March 1, 2024
People expecting players to be emotionless kinda proves his point he’s trying to make. Not to say what Rublev did was ok, but whether he broke any rules given that we now know he didn’t swear in Russian, I’m not sure default fits the “crime”.
— JustMe (@iwatchilisten) March 1, 2024
Of course players are defending this crap. I am so tired if the ” you havent been there so you dont get it ” argument. No, it doesnt fly. People dont deserve to get screamed at like that.period
— Nicholas bennett (@Nicholas9455) March 1, 2024