How Bublik doing the “exact minimum” led to Roland-Garros breakthrough
The Kazakh gave a unique look into how he balances tennis and life after defeating Draper in Paris
Zuma/Psnewz
Professional sport is about sacrifice. Giving it all at the altar of success for a shot at glory. It’s about laser focus: nothing else matters except the next match, doing what needs to be done to improve and move up the ranks. Early mornings, long practice sessions, no treats, hard work, repeat.
Unless, of course, you’re Alexander Bublik.
The big-serving Kazakh is one of the ATP Tour’s more colourful personalities, and with the spotlight shone squarely on him after defeating No 5 seed Jack Draper to make his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland-Garros on Monday, he treated media to a masterclass in philosophy.
“I prioritise tennis and life in equal ways. For me it’s a 50/50 relationship,” he explained. “Will I put my life and health on the line to have a ‘might’? No.”
“It’s not like tennis takes 90 [per cent of my time], and then it’s okay. If I can’t walk at the age of 40, it’s okay. No, it’s not.
“I think every person has to decide. Every athlete needs to decide if the sacrifices he’s making to have a phantom chance of – if we’re talking about the younger generation – to have a phantom chance to be with us, is it worth it? Go for it.”
Not laziness, just priority
Bublik has had his fair share of critics over the years. At times, the 27-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance – as he did on Monday against Draper. Naturally, this draws out the conclusion that the rest of the time, when Bublik isn’t playing at a high level, it’s because he isn’t working hard enough.
But as he explains, that isn’t quite the case. It’s simply a matter of priority.
“For me it’s finding the balance,” he continued. “It’s doing necessarily what I have to do in order to be able to compete against the top of the game, which I showcased every season I played in the past six, seven years, but will I put my health on the line? No.
“I prioritise health and my lifestyle, as well, because I have a family and I’m a father, and I have to do the father duties. This goes a 50/50 balance. Sometimes it didn’t work; sometimes it worked marvelously when I was top 20.”
The show goes on
Now that Bublik has had a taste of the big stage, will that alter his mindset? Don’t count on it.
“I will continue my path,” he declared.
“I will work my way, because I still practice, guys. Don’t worry, I’m not hitting 30 minutes a day. I still do the exact minimum and maximum at the same time in order to be the player I am, to be in the position I am, and I will continue with this path, because there is no way around hard work.
“Don’t get me wrong. I work hard, but on my terms, you know. I do what I’m capable of doing with my body, but I will not push through a knee injury in order to have, you know, a certain chance to win a certain match. So for me, there is no way around hard work. I have been working very hard, and I do work very hard.”
Bublik will certainly have his work cut out for him on Wednesday, when he will share the court with world No 1 Jannik Sinner – who is yet to drop a set in Paris – in the quarter-finals of the French Open.
