Alexander Bublik keeps rolling at French Open

Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik continued his winning run at the French Open by defeating Great Britain’s Jack Draper 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen at Roland-Garros on Monday.

When Bublik was asked after the match what he thought the key was to his victory, he wasn’t completely sure.

“I don’t know, to be honest. I left it all out there. You know, I have certain skill set to play tennis, and it worked marvellously today.

“100% one of the best days of my life and one of the best matches I have ever played in my life. That was as simple as that.”

‘Haven’t complained’

Bublik’s results this year on clay are better than all his previous three years’ results combined. He was asked what he think has changed.

“Maybe this is the first year I haven’t complained about playing on clay, as I don’t have a lot of options because I was dropping a lot in the rankings.”

Bublik was up front when talking about his philosophy of how he lives his life.

“I still do the exact minimum and maximum at the same time in order to be the player I am, to be in the position I am, and I will continue with this path, because I think I prioritise tennis and the life in equal ways.”

“So, for me it’s a 50/50 relationship. So, it’s not like tennis takes 90, and then it’s okay. If I can’t walk at the age of 40, it’s okay. No, it’s not. So, for me it’s finding the balance.”

Bublik values being healthy over possibly compromising his health by pushing his body beyond its limits.

“It’s doing necessarily what I have to do in order to be able to compete against the top of the game, which I showcased every season I played in the past six, seven years, but will I put my health on the line? No.”

‘Willing to work hard’

Bublik outlined that he is willing to work hard but with a balanced approach.

“There is no way around hard work. Don’t get me wrong. I work hard, but on my terms, you know. I do what I’m capable of doing with my body, but I will not push through a knee injury in order to have, you know, a certain chance to win a certain match. So, for me, there is no way around hard work.”

Apart from prioritising his health, Bublik also prioritises his family.

“But as I said, I prioritise the health and my lifestyle, as well, because I have a family and I’m a father, and I have to do the father duties. This is a 50/50 balance.”

It appears that Bublik’s authentic nature is beginning to win over more and more fans at this year’s French Open.

There is more to Bublik than meets the eye.

Next up for Bublik is a quarter-final clash against world No 1 Jannik Sinner on Wednesday.

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