Medvedev proves admiration for Bublik as he fakes controversial shot

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Daniil Medvedev pretended to recreate one of Alexander Bublik’s controversial trick shots during a practice session in Miami. The 27-year-old previously defended the Kazakh after people went “crazy” when he hit a ball with his racket upside-down during September’s Moselle Open final. And he appeared to double down on his support for Bublik by faking the shot days after the world No 48 used it again at the Miami Open.

Medvedev is gearing up for the Miami Open and has been having some fun while practising for the second Masters 1000 of the year. The fourth seed had a hit in front of some spectators and could be seen holding his racket the wrong way around as he pretended to copy Bublik’s trick of hitting the ball using the handle.

But he backed out at the last minute after earning some laughs, faking the upside-down shot and returning the ball with an overhead smash. The world No 5 has previously discussed Bublik’s controversial shot as he said he “respected” the world No 48 for his unique flair.

And Medvedev stuck to his word in practice, as he had claimed that he personally wouldn’t replicate the technique despite enjoying it. “I remember when he played in the final with the frame. I wouldn’t do it. It doesn’t mean that you have to insult him,” he said before facing Bublik in Dubai last month.

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“I went on comments, people were going crazy, How can you do this in the final? He’s in the final, he can do whatever he wants. That’s his choice. No one can argue with this,” he added, coming to the 25-year-old’s defence. “That’s what I really like about him. I feel like he’s very – how you call it – special, but there’s another word.” 

The 18-time title winner was asked whether “unique” was a fitting word and responded: “Yeah, he’s very unique. He sticks to it. That’s what I like. That’s what I respect.”

Medvedev went on to defeat Bublik in their Dubai meeting and ended up winning the tournament – marking his third title in three weeks. Although he didn’t go for the upside-down shot in their match, he did win it on an underarm serve.

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He also shared his respect for Bublik after getting a 6-4 6-2 over the world No 48, telling the crowd: “Yeah I like Sasha a lot, I like first of all that he’s very genuine to himself and he doesn’t care what other people say about him.

“I think sometimes it’s important because we sportsmen are under big pressure and the moment you let this pressure come to you, who knows maybe you’re going to play better but you’re not going to feel better in your life. So I respect him a lot. I enjoy being his friend, I enjoy playing him and big respect to him.”

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