Alexander Bublik leaves crowd furious after shot with handle of racket

Novak Djokovic speaks ahead of Laver Cup appearance

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Alexander Bublik left the crowd furious after playing an outrageous shot with the handle of his racket during the final of the Moselle Open in France on Sunday. The Kazakhstani ace bizarrely pulled out the exhibition shot when he was a set and a break down to Italian opponent Lorenzo Sonego. And Sonego went on to win the showdown 7-6 6-2 to wrap up the title.

Bublik was having a tough time in Metz on Sunday as he picked-up just three points in the first set tiebreak to fall behind in the ATP 250 contest. And he soon found himself a break down in the second as Sonego dominated proceedings.

World No 44 Bublik faced another break point when he was 3-1 down in the second set and launched a huge serve at his opponent. Sonego somehow managed to get the ball back in court as his return floated high in the air before dropping just over the net.

And instead of smashing the ball back across the net for an easy winner, Bublik instead gripped the frame and string of his racket and hit the ball back over the net with the handle. World No 65 Sonego then sliced a backhand to Bublik, before the Kazakhstani hit the ball into the net. And the exchange put Sonego 4-1 ahead in the second set as he went on to win the match at a canter.

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Bublik’s moment of madness was met with fury as the crowd made their thoughts known by loudly booing the player. And the Tennis TV commentator was gobsmacked by what he had witnessed. “What is he thinking?” he asked. “No wonder the boos come. This is the final of an ATP 250 event. He’s one break down, now he’s two breaks down. He is unravelling fast. Outrageous. What is happening here? I can’t believe he’s done that.”

But Bublik seemed unconcerned by his bizarre actions as he burst into a fit of laughter when he returned to his seat and wiped himself down with his towel.

Bublik has been on the ATP Tour since 2016 but had to wait until earlier this year to win his first event as he claimed the title at the Open Sud de France in February. His Grand Slam singles record has been far from impressive and he has never gone beyond the third round of any of the four majors in 16 attempts.

He did reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open doubles alongside compatriot Mikhail Kukushkin in 2020, however, before the duo bowed out to eventual champions Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury.

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