“A true rebirth”: Bublik rediscovers the light after nearly quitting
A two-time winner in Halle, Alexander Bublik used his press conference to reflect on a difficult period marked by a loss of joy, self-doubt, and the temptation to walk away from the sport. An unexpected title that represents much more than just a trophy.
Alexander Bublik, Halle 2025 – © Imago / Psnewz
This is the second time Alexander Bublik has triumphed in Halle. Two years after a surprise first title on German grass, Alexander Bublik repeated the feat this past weekend by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final. But beyond the performance, it was the depth of his words that left a lasting impression. In a press conference, the Kazakh didn’t just savor his title — he unfolded the story of an inner journey marked by doubt and mental fatigue. “This is a true rebirth of my career,” he said, visibly moved.
“From Wimbledon last year to Madrid this season, I went through a long stretch without any major results. I didn’t understand why. A year ago, I came close to taking a three- or four-month break. I didn’t want to keep playing if I wasn’t feeling any joy,” he candidly revealed. His weariness was so deep that he even considered “a six-month break” if he fell out of the top 100.
Having dropped to as low as No. 82 in the world, the Kazakh went through a real tunnel between July 2024 and March 2025, a period during which he won only four matches and lost seventeen on the main tour. A negative spiral marked by early exits, a stark lack of rhythm, and most of all, a palpable sense of burnout on court.
A PROMISE KEPT, AN UNEXPECTED VICTORY
His coach played a central role in his comeback: “He asked me to stick it out until Wimbledon 2025, to honor my commitments, and then, if I really wanted to quit, I could.” Bublik kept his word, worked “hard,” and was rewarded beyond his expectations. Quarterfinalist at Roland-Garros, now crowned in Halle, he’s drawing an unexpected line on the canvas of his season. “It’s not what I imagined — it’s beyond that. And it really feels good.”
In the final, he notably defeated Daniil Medvedev for the first time — a player who had previously always gotten the better of him. A win he credits as much to preparation as to mental strength: “I knew it was a special opportunity. The conditions — fast surface, heat — favored me. I stayed focused, I erased all visible emotion. It was a mental match. I knew he was better from the baseline. I had to do something different — and I did.”
Even me, sometimes I forget — it’s still a game
But Bublik hasn’t changed what makes him unique: his love for the game, quite literally. “That’s what we often forget — even me, sometimes I forget — it’s still a game. It’s become a competition, a performance machine, but at its core, it’s a game. And if I don’t keep that in mind, I can’t play. It stops being play and becomes work. And it’s not a job — it’s sport, it’s entertainment.”
He even calls on his coach to remind him in case he strays: “When I was ranked 17th in the world, I started treating it like a job, a sport that was too demanding. But this isn’t track and field, it’s not a race against time. There’s a ball, and you can do anything with it. That — you must never forget.”
Despite his seemingly carefree attitude, Bublik rejects the idea that he plays without pressure. “That’s false. The day an athlete no longer feels pressure, there’s no reason to continue. Even the greatest — Roger, Rafa, Novak, Carlos, Jannik — they all feel pressure. They’re just very good at not showing it and maintaining their level. If you feel nothing anymore, go play in your backyard. No need to stay on tour.”
In Halle, Alexander Bublik found more than a victory. He created a version of himself that is calmer, more clear-eyed — but still just as unpredictable. In 2023, his title was a surprise. In 2025, it tells a story of liberation. A champion who isn’t just chasing trophies, but meaning.
