The radical turn in Bublik's career: "If you had told me in April, I wouldn't have believed it"

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Alexander Bublik continues to write his story in giant strides. This Sunday, the Kazakh tennis player was crowned champion of the ATP 250 Hong Kong, defeating the Italian Lorenzo Musetti 7‑6(2), 6‑3 and adding his ninth ATP title, the fifth since June 2025. But beyond the trophy, Bublik achieved a historic milestone: he will enter the Top 10 of the ATP ranking on Monday, becoming the first Kazakh player to do so and the 186th in the Open Era to debut among the top ten in the world.

An achievement that brought out his most emotional side. “For me, it's not just another title, it's the first time I enter the Top 10. Hong Kong will always have a special place in my heart because that's when I entered something I never would have imagined,” said Bublik after the final. “If you had told me at the beginning of my career or even last April, I probably wouldn't have believed it. I'm being honest with you.”

Just ten months ago, Bublik was outside the Top 80, making his meteoric rise one of the most surprising stories in recent years. At 28 years old, the Kazakh found an unexpected and unstoppable boost in the second half of last season: titles in Halle, Gstaad, Kitzbühel, and Hangzhou, along with quarterfinals at Roland Garros, gave him confidence. He started 2026 continuing that streak, dropping only one set on his way to the Hong Kong title.

“I definitely dedicate it to my team. We've been through a lot. Unfortunately, my family is not here, but this is for you. We have a little tradition: I dedicate each title to someone, and today I dedicate it to all those who have always supported me,” added Bublik, visibly moved.

In the final, Bublik faced Musetti, who was seeking his first title since 2022. The first set was intense and was decided in the tie-break thanks to a trademark moment of magic from the Kazakh: a backhand winner at 2-2 that gave him the momentum to close the set 7‑6(2). In the second set, after wasting a break advantage, he regained focus and closed the match 6‑3, improving his head-to-head with Musetti to 3‑1.

His victory is not just another trophy; it's confirmation of a radical shift in Bublik's career. For years, he was seen as unpredictable, inconsistent, a player capable of both the best and the worst. His talent was always there: a serve that exceeds 220 km/h, perfect drop shots, shots between the legs, and impossible combinations that leave everyone amazed. But that genius was also his greatest enemy: lack of concentration at crucial moments and an attitude not always appropriate on the court. But all of that seems to be far behind now.

At this level, Bublik has become a player that instills fear in anyone. Now that he has tamed his talent and found the concentration he lacked, only the big question remains: How far can a Bublik like this go?. The entire circuit will watch him with eyes wide open, but none will want to face him.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El giro radical en la carrera de Bublik: "Si me lo hubieras dicho en abril, no lo habría creído"