Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik fought back from two sets down to defeat Australian ninth-seed Alex de Minaur 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday at the French Open at Roland Garros.
It was only the third time in Bublik’s career that he has triumphed after being two sets to love down in a match.
‘Not a morning person’
Alexander Bublik revealed that he is not much of a morning person and that the starting time of 11:00 for his match was a key factor for his slow start.
“Was a bit early for me. 11:00 is not my preferable time. I was a bit sleepy in the first two sets.
“For me, at 11:00, it’s super complicated to play. I am not waking up at that time. I am usually at 10, 9, I would wake up, have my coffee, speak to my family, play with my son.
“Like at 12 I’m maybe out of the apartment. Maybe. Not even sure. Impossible, 11:00 for me.
“Yeah, so it was a key to wake up and then to play one of the best slam matches that I ever played in my life.”
Bublik was asked where his renewed levels of self-belief have come from.
“I was not thinking this way. I was checking the tickets already in my head. I didn’t really care, in a way. I was like I will accept the loss.
“I have won, what, like 12 or 13 matches on clay this year. Being second round here, it’s always like an achievement for me because I have never won as many matches on clay as I did.
“So, I was a bit tired. I told my team, they know it, so it was not like if I lose, I would be upset. No, I would be happy, and I would be home today in Monaco at 9:00 in the evening.”
On a losing streak
Alexander Bublik expanded upon what he meant recently by his comment that ‘things used to be easier.’
“I have a discussion with Gael Monfils in Dubai. I was complaining. I was losing. I was on a losing streak. I said, Gael, it was so easy. It never happened. Everyone is playing so good.
“He told me a really wise thought. He told me, Alex, now everyone become professional. If you see, everyone wakes up early, they do their runs, they do their treatment, they do everything.
“When I arrive on tour, there were few guys really focused on doing their things. I’m not speaking about the greats, Roger, Rafa and Novak. I’m not speaking about them.
“But in general, population of let’s say the top 50, top 100 player, there were guys who were enjoying their time, not having physios, guys without coaches.”
‘Super professional’
Bublik was open about the fact that he is less professional in his preparations than most current tennis players.
“Now just everyone is super professional. Me, of course, I’m not the most professional guy on the planet.
“For me, just yeah, just find a way to beat those guys when they’re better at their routines like twice than I am.
“This is like with Gael, he said you wait for your chances. You have your chances, you use it. If you waste it, it’s your problem.”
Monfils’s advice appears to have changed Bublik’s outlook towards his tennis.
“And then, I mean, this changed my perspective because I stopped complaining about that. It was just fun. So, yeah, it changed a lot.”
Bublik is a rare breed when he admitted that he would like tennis to be less professional and more focused on enjoyment.
“As you can see, like everyone is professional now, which is concerning. I believe we should have more room for fun.
“But everyone’s professional, so it’s quite tough to play tennis (smiling).”
Alexander Bublik rated this win as one of his best ever.
“I think it’s definitely one of the best performances I did on a slam, you know, like game-wise.
“But this win, I’m sure this is one of the best that I had on the slams, and maybe overall on the tour, because it’s against Alex, probably one of the most uncomfortable opponents for me.”
Bublik went into more detail as to why De Minaur is a difficult opponent for him to face.
“He’s overworking me, you know overplaying me, running for every shot, doesn’t give up.
“To be able to use my chances as I used it today, every chance that I had since the third set, I used it, and I won the match like this.
“So, yeah, it’s one of the most important wins.”
Dave Marshall is covering the 2025 French Open in Paris exclusively for The South African website
Have you been following this year’s French Open at Roland Garros?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.