- A tennis star criticized Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in an explosive interview
- He mocked their 'circus' retirements after they both called it a day in 2024.
- The star has already been involved in controversy with his offensive words.
Alexander Bublik has caused a stir after his controversial comments towards tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
Both players retired last year and were appropriately serenaded for their achievements in the sport.
In November, Nadal gave a speech and a video of his career highlights was played at the Davis Cup finals in Malaga. In addition, the Spaniard received personal messages from some soccer greats, including Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic.
Murray, who also sent a message to Nadal, was honored at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and has now joined forces with Djokovic, training the Serbian ahead of the next Australian Open.
Bublik took aim at his former foe and accused the Brit of “clinging” to the past with his decision to work with Djokovic.
“Now (Murray) has joined Novak Djokovic's team,” he said. 'These are attempts to hold on to something that no longer exists, to some echoes of the past. I think this is a problem.'
Kazakh star Alexander Bublik had some controversial words for Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal
Nadal retired in November 2024 after losing in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in Malaga
Murray announced this a day after losing in the men's doubles quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics.
The world number 33 also had words for Nadal, describing his and Murray's retirement as a “circus”.
“Yes, I want to go out on top,” he added.
'It is clear that I am not Rafa, my legacy will be much smaller, if you can call it that. What happened to Andy Murray and Rafa was a circus.
'I can't call it anything else. People have achieved everything, even us tennis players, we looked at them with our mouths open in the locker room and then you see one of them bald and old.
'It is clear that he is no longer the same and will never be the same. In my opinion, this is even a shame, not a circus. It would probably be more correct to say it. Although Rafa still left normally.'
Bublik has been involved in previous controversies, as Nick Kyrgios criticized him for using offensive language towards disabled people at the US Open in 2023.
In a first-round loss to Dominic Thiem, Bublik reportedly said in Russian, “I'm fucking sick of giving back runs to disabled people,” a taunt directed at his opponent.
Kyrgios was quick to comment on the incident, writing in X: “This is horrible and understated.”
Over 19 years, Nadal and Murray had a 17-7 record in favor of the former.
When Thiem was questioned about the apparent insult during his press conference, he questioned whether the translation was correct.
Informed by a journalist that this was the case, Thiem disapproved of the comment.
“It's a harsh saying,” Thiem said.
'Something you shouldn't say in general, out of respect. Maybe he didn't mean that.