Google News ATP Rome: Alexander Bublik destroys a racket and gives it to a fan
by LORENZO CIOTTI
Alexander Bublik, when he plays, always gives a show in his own way, and he amazed again during his debut at the Internazionali Bnl d'Italia, on the Pietrangeli field of the Foro Italico. The Kazakh tennis player made a very particular gesture during the second set, when he was down in the score: the 25-year-old, out of anger at having suffered the break, decided to destroy his racket, hitting the ground repeatedly with much malice.
Once the job was done, the native of Gatchina gave it to a young boy present in the stands, very happy to receive the racket from the player after a change of field. Here is the video released by Tennis TV which immediately went around the web.
A little souvenir from Sascha 🎁#IBI23 pic.twitter.com/oEsrx5TklE — Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 10, 2023
Bublik gets the second round at the IBI 23
Bublik, despite all the difficulties and anger, achieved an important success on his debut against the Spanish Pedro Martinez with the final score of 6-3, 7-6 (tiebreak won with lucidity by 7 points to 4).
The Kazakh will continue his adventure in the Italian competition and in the next round, scheduled for Friday 12 May, he will face the talented American Ben Shelton (seeded number 28 in the main draw). The young American is really getting solid results on clay, after starting the season on hard courts well.
A complicated challenge that however promises a show between the two athletes. The 25-year-old will try in Rome to redeem the bad defeat he suffered at the Mutua Madrid Open against the Danish Holger Rune, who managed to beat him in a hard-fought tie-break in the third set.
Alexander recently gave an interview to ESPN, stating harsh words that will surely make all fans of this wonderful sport discuss. Bublik is 25 years old but seems almost fed up with tennis and his words reveal a strong malaise: "I complain about how stupid this sport can be, it's a shitty sport. Playing tennis gives me a headache."