Bublik: "In Grand Slam, players have surrendered against Alcaraz and Sinner, me included"

Pedro de Pablos | 17 Jul 2026 | 11.22

Bublik: "In Grand Slam, players have surrendered against Alcaraz and Sinner, myself included." Source: Getty Images.

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Alexander Bublik is one of the most special tennis players on the circuit, both on and off the court. When in the midst of a match, the Kazakh player is a showman, and that personality carries over once he interacts with the media. In his latest interview, Bublik has talked about his aspirations in his career, with a surprising statement about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, whom he sees as unattainable in Grand Slam events.

This year, Bublik broke into the top 10 after an impressive 2025 season, where he even defeated Jannik Sinner in Halle. However, in a conversation with 'Tennis Magazin,' he preferred to keep his feet on the ground and was as honest as possible when discussing his expectations. According to him, only a miracle would make him win a Grand Slam, so he has learned to be honest with himself and be happy with what he has.

"To beat Sinner in Halle, you need a lot of luck, and I say that completely seriously. In Grand Slams, where Sinner and Alcaraz are at their best and perfectly prepared, you practically have no chance. I have the feeling that the other players have given up, myself included, by the way. That changes your goals," said Alexander, whose controversial statements will stir up controversy due to the naturalness with which he delivers them.

"You must realize that you are not Novak Djokovic"

If there's one thing that stands out about Bublik, it's that he doesn't hold back when discussing any topic, even if it involves himself. 'Sascha' is not the typical player who sets high expectations for himself but rather prefers to aim low and then try to surprise with unexpected results, as he has been accomplishing in recent months.

"I recently spoke with my coach: a victory in a Grand Slam is almost unattainable when both players are in top form. So my goal is to reach the quarterfinals, maybe the semifinals; then I'll go back home happy. You must realize that you are not Novak Djokovic. You won't win Grand Slams like Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer. You have to learn to accept defeats and handle them without affecting your performance," he acknowledged.

Bublik discusses advancements in tennis

Another point Bublik highlighted is the evolution of the circuit in all aspects. "I remember when I started on the circuit: 30 out of the top 100 traveled without a physiotherapist, just with a teammate or friends. Today, to my knowledge, there isn't a single one, and I train with many guys. But that's just the beginning: physiotherapist, physical trainer, mental coach. It's also noticeable in the locker room: everything is more professional. The 16 and 17-year-old kids today are stronger and in better shape. I entered the top 100 when I was 19."

In fact, according to him, "the 17 and 18-year-olds today would crush me when I was nineteen. It would be ridiculous. That no longer exists. Nowadays, there are perfect athletes: they serve at 220 km/h, hit the forehand on the line, move with great precision. It's nothing like before. Gael Monfils made a brilliant comparison recently: in terms of athleticism and professionalism, the changes are as massive as the technical shift from wooden rackets."

Bublik dispels the false myth about himself

Another negative stereotype about Bublik is that many think he is not professional enough, something he wanted to refute. "The fact that I take other things seriously besides tennis doesn't mean I don't take tennis seriously. You're only 19 once, and being a successful player at that age has many advantages. I hit the ball well, people liked me, I was happy. But that's part of life: growing up and maturing. Realizing it's a profession, in which a fantastic season can guarantee ten years of financial security," he stated.

In fact, it was his wife who helped him look at his career from a different perspective. "In 2024, I was among the top 20. Life was good, I was having a great time. My wife, Tatjana, takes many photos; when I look at those from late 2024 and early 2025, I always say, 'Oh, how happy I was then!' My wife replies, 'Yes, but you lost eleven times in a row.' I was too relaxed because I had achieved all my goals: being among the top 20, winning some tournaments, and making good money. But that's tennis nowadays: if you stagnate, if you get injured, you get passed, and suddenly you're ranked 50th or 80th in the world," he concluded.

Undoubtedly, Bublik is a different kind of player, one that the circuit needs. He talks about all topics, it's worth buying a ticket to watch him play, and he is experiencing the best moment of his career after some years where he prioritized showmanship over his interests. Now he combines both versions, making him a very dangerous player who is aware of his limits and what he can bring to the sport.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Bublik: "En Grand Slam, los jugadores se han rendido contra Alcaraz y Sinner, yo incluído"

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