Alexander Bublik admits he was wrong about the Laver Cup after finally getting the call

Thursday, 24 September 2026 at 04:00

Alexander Bublik has changed his view of the Laver Cup after finally receiving an invitation to play in the event. The Kazakh will make his debut for Team World in London this week, having previously dismissed the competition as an exhibition because it does not award ATP ranking points.

Bublik's change of perspective comes after years of questioning the status of the event. In 2025, he gave a blunt assessment of the Laver Cup and also expressed frustration at never being considered for selection despite becoming one of the more recognizable players on the ATP Tour.

Now, Bublik will join Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Brandon Nakashima, Learner Tien and Francisco Cerundolo for Team World's meeting with Team Europe. Nakashima and Tien will also be making their debuts, while Rafael Jodar is the only debutant on the European team. The ninth edition will take place at The O2 in London from September 25 to 27.

Speaking to CLAY during Wimbledon in July, Bublik explained why his opinion of the competition has changed after finally getting the opportunity to be part of it. His comments come after a previous period in which he questioned both the status of the event and the way Team World was selected.

Bublik changes his view of the Laver Cup

Bublik acknowledged that the Laver Cup has developed into a more competitive event than he previously believed, while also saying that he likes the idea of a competition where players have to be invited.

“I haven’t spoken about Laver Cup for a very long time. What I said was a long time ago," Bublik explained to Clay. "But I think Laver Cup has developed the image of being a very competitive tournament, and I think it’s very good to have an invitational-only tournament — being invited feels like a privilege.”

The Kazakh also admitted that his earlier assessment had been shaped by never having experienced the Laver Cup himself. “Maybe when I said it was an exhibition I had a different mindset because I hadn’t been part of Laver Cup.”

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Bublik has already noticed a different atmosphere within Team World after being selected. The players have been discussing tactics before the competition has even started, something that has contributed to his change of view.

“For now, I’m not sure it’s an exhibition — when I got announced, players from my team were already writing to me saying, hey, should we do this? There were already tactics involved. I think it’s a full team event, just without ranking points. That’s the difference.”

That is a significant change from his assessment in 2025, when Bublik was much more dismissive of the competition. “Exhibition? Of course the Laver Cup is one. Does it give ranking points? No. So it’s an exhibition.”

Taylor Fritz pumps his fist at the 2024 Laver Cup.

Taylor Fritz is the player with most appareances in Team World (6)

Bublik becomes first player representing Asia on Team World

Bublik's debut also adds a new nationality to the history of Team World. Since the inaugural edition in 2017, the team has been heavily represented by American players, with Taylor Fritz set to make his sixth appearance this year and Frances Tiafoe having played five editions. Jack Sock and John Isner made four appearances each, matching Nick Kyrgios and Francisco Cerundolo's totals through 2025.

Across the players who have represented Team World, the American presence has been particularly strong. Eleven have been American, alongside three Australians, three Canadians and four South Americans, while Kevin Anderson remains the only African player to have represented the team.

Bublik's selection therefore adds another part of the world to the lineup: he will become the first player from Asian country to play for Team World.

The pattern is also visible in individual editions. Team World has featured at least three Americans among its six selected players in eight of its nine editions, with 2021 the only exception. That year in Boston, Reilly Opelka and John Isner were the two Americans, alongside Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov, Kyrgios and Schwartzman.

Bublik's selection is therefore notable beyond his own debut. A player from Kazakhstan who once questioned whether the team's selection process was open enough to players outside North America will now become part of its history.

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That frustration was clear when he discussed the Laver Cup in 2025. “I guess I would have to be South American or (North) American to play it," the Kazakh player said. "I think the captains always choose those who speak English. They think the ‘World’ is America.”

A year later, Bublik is finally inside the team rather than watching from the outside. He will now get the chance to test his new view of the competition alongside five teammates, with Team World looking to add another title to its record.

For Bublik, the Laver Cup has gone from a tournament he reduced to its lack of ranking points to an event he now describes differently. “I think it’s a full team event, just without ranking points. That’s the difference.”

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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