Alexander Bublik has caused a stir at the US Open after being heard making a controversial remark about Dominic Thiem during their first round match on Monday.
Bublik, who was the 25th seed in the draw, crashed out in straight sets to the 2020 champion after producing an error-stricken performance. The Kazakh produced 44 unforced errors and six double faults to suffer his third first-round loss in a Grand Slam this season. Frustrated with his performance, he was heard in Russian making a swipe at his opponent.
“‘I’m f**king sick of giving careers back to handicapped people,” Clay magazine translated via a Russian speaker.
The reference was to Thiem’s comeback to the Tour following a wrist injury that sidelined him from action for 10 months between 2021 and 2022. It is unclear as to what other players he is speaking about. However, earlier this season he lost to Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka in Rotterdam, David Goffin in Hertogenbosch and Alexander Zverev in Halle. All three of which have been hampered by injury in recent months.
Besides Clay’s translation of what Bublik said, Russian sports website Championat has also confirmed the comment. They also pointed out a separate outburst the frustrated world No.27 made during his match.
“I can’t play here, #####. I don’t want to come here at all. I just can’t play here. What am I doing wrong? He will just stand and throw. He doesn’t even have to do anything, I still ###### [lose]. If I ###### [lose], I will go home tomorrow.” Championat quoted Bublik as saying.
(NOTE: Quote was originally in Russian and translated online.)
Quizzed about Bublik’s comment during his press conference, former world No.3 Thiem initially questioned if the journalist had heard him correctly. The journalist then assumed the Austrian that he did.
“It’s tough saying something you shouldn’t say in general, you know, just out of respect. Maybe he didn’t mean it that way or whatever.” Thiem replied.
“What can I say about it?”
Bublik had originally entered to play the US Open doubles tournament alongside Alexander Shevchenko but the pair have since withdrawn. He is yet to publicly comment on his remarks about Thiem.
