Alexander Bublik has sparked controversy again with sharp remarks about tennis greats Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.
The 27-year-old Kazakh star, ranked world No. 33, dismissed their 2024 retirements as a “circus,” suggesting both men should have bowed out more gracefully. Nadal, 39, ended his career after a Davis Cup loss in Malaga, while Murray, 38, retired following a doubles exit at the Paris Olympics. Both were celebrated for their achievements with tributes from fellow players and fans.
Bublik took particular aim at Murray, mocking his decision to coach Novak Djokovic after retirement. “These are attempts to grasp at something that no longer exists, just echoes of the past,” he said. He went further, calling Murray “bald, old” and “a problem” for tennis, implying that clinging on to the sport damaged his legacy.
He did, however, acknowledge Nadal had handled his exit better, though still labeling the fanfare as excessive.
This isn’t Bublik’s first brush with controversy. At the 2023 US Open, he faced backlash for making offensive remarks about disabled people during a match against Dominic Thiem, prompting criticism from both Thiem and Nick Kyrgios.
Over nearly two decades of rivalry, Nadal dominated Murray with a 17–7 head-to-head record, Murray’s worst against any opponent he played more than 20 times.
