Bublik: "Years ago I would have let myself go in this tournament"

Iker Jiménez | 14 Feb 2026 | 09.24

Bublik: "I am very tired, but the current moment of my career leads me to want more." Source: Getty

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Tennis has always had room for different players, but few have represented that spirit as well as Alexander Bublik. The Kazakh is experiencing the best moment of his career after reaching the semifinals of the ATP 500 Rotterdam, defeating Jaume Munar in a demanding duel that revealed his new competitive version. A victory to confirm a mental transformation that, for years, seemed impossible for one of the circuit's most unpredictable talents.

The win against the Spaniard was not just any win. It marked his 200th ATP-level victory, a historic milestone that makes him the first Kazakh in the Open Era to reach that number. However, the true value of this achievement lies in the journey taken to get there. Bublik, who was often criticized for his inconsistency and tendency to disconnect in tough matches, is now going through a phase marked by commitment and a competitive ambition that previously seemed elusive.

Bublik's Career Peak

The player himself acknowledged the physical strain he carries this week but also hinted at the shift in mentality shaping his season. "I am very tired, but I am making a great effort because the current moment of my career drives me to want more," he explained after the match. He also confessed to the challenges he faces off the court: "I am getting little sleep in Rotterdam due to finishing matches late, but I am very motivated."

The numbers clearly reflect this evolution. Since the last Roland Garros, where he reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinals, he has an impressive record of 41 wins and 11 losses. Additionally, he has clinched five titles in recent months and has been a frequent presence in the final rounds, a level of consistency unprecedented in his career. He has reached 7 semifinals in the last 8 months.

"Years ago, I would have given up in this tournament"

His match against Munar was a perfect example of that growth. After coming close to closing the match in two sets, the Kazakh faced a third set where he conceded an early break. In other stages of his career, this situation would have led to his surrender. However, this time, the opposite happened. Bublik reacted immediately and secured the victory in a final tie-break where his serve once again proved decisive. "I was very lucky at the end because I served incredibly," he declared. "I only hit first serves in the tie-break, so I guess that was the key to the third set."

This exhaustion seems to have unleashed his creativity on the court, one of the traits that have always made him unique. "I am hitting so many drop shots and playing so freely because of this fatigue. Years ago, I would have given up in this tournament," he candidly admitted, clearly indicating a profound change in his approach to tennis. "But I am really tired; I just need to find a way to recover for tomorrow's match."

The next challenge will be facing Felix Auger-Aliassime, in a match that will test not only his physical and tennis level but also the mental strength he has built over the last few months.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Bublik: “Hace años me habría dejado ir en este torneo”