Alexander Bublik calls the retirements of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray “a circus” in bold comments
ATP
Alexander Bublik spoke about the retirements of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray and didn’t look favorably on their farewells. The Kazakh player specifically pointed out the 3-time Grand Slam champion from Britain, who was recently announced as Novak Djokovic's coach for the 2025 season.
The World No. 33, true to his style, described the retirements of both players as a "circus" when asked whether he was willing to fight through injuries to extend his career when the time comes.
"One wants to leave at their peak"
The 27-year-old player mentioned that he changed his plans of retiring early and would be happy to play for another decade. "Everything I said before turned out to be too expressive and false. I always thought I would retire, but now it seems like I’ll play for many more years. I want to act for a long time."
Bublik addressed the retirements of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in 2024. The Spaniard, at 38, struggled to return to competition and have a proper farewell on court, while Murray also battled injuries for several years—without achieving the same results he once did—and ended up hanging up his racket mid-year.
“One wants to leave at their peak. Clearly, I’m not Rafa, my legacy will be much smaller, if you can call it that. What happened with Andy Murray and Rafa is a circus. I can’t call it any other way,” Bublik said in an interview with Russian media outlet “Match TV.”
“These people achieved everything, even we tennis players looked at them with open mouths in the locker room, and then you see one of them bald and old. It’s clear that he’s not the same and will never be the same. In my opinion, it’s even a disgrace rather than a circus. I guess that’s the right way to put it.”
“Now he (Murray) has joined Novak Djokovic’s team. These are attempts to grasp what is no longer there, some echoes of the past. I think it’s a problem. I hope it won’t be like that for me, but I can’t say for sure. Maybe at 36, I’ll be playing in the Challenger in Bangkok, but I still hope that I’ll leave with a calm soul.”
Bublik is preparing to compete in his first tournament of the season at the Adelaide International, where he is the 6th seed. His debut will be against Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, in what will be his only stop before the Australian Open. The Kazakh came just one spot short of being seeded in Melbourne but ultimately made the cut at No. 33.
Andy with the WIN 💪
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 9, 2022
2009 champ @andy_murray defeats Bublik 7-6 6-4 and moves into the 2nd round in Rotterdam!#abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/hOTttt05QN
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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