Alexander Bublik found himself in an awkward situation during a fan meeting in Kazakhstan when a young boy compared him with Jannik Sinner and brought up doping. What started as a straightforward question about who was the better player quickly took an unexpected turn when the youngster explained why he preferred the Kazakhstani star.
Bublik is currently competing at the Almaty Open in his home country, where he is the third seed at the ATP 250 tournament. The world No. 16 received a first-round bye and is waiting to face either Fábián Marozsán or local player Timofey Skatov in the second round as he begins his campaign in front of the home crowd.
The fan interaction offered a very different kind of exchange from the questions Bublik typically faces during tournament interviews. Rather than discussing his results or comparing the players' performances, the young boy introduced one of the most controversial subjects surrounding Sinner's career, leaving Bublik with an unexpected response to process.
The remark referred to the Italian's positive tests for clostebol in 2024 and the three-month suspension that followed a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2025. Although the case did not establish intentional doping, it has remained a talking point among tennis fans, and the boy's blunt assessment demonstrated how the controversy continues to influence conversations about Sinner.
“You don't use doping”: Young fan puts Alexander Bublik in an awkward position
The exchange began when the young fan asked Bublik to compare himself with Sinner. The Kazakhstani player did not immediately offer an answer or attempt to argue that he was the better player. Instead, he invited the boy to make the choice himself, seemingly giving him a simple opportunity to express his preference.
“Who's better, you or Sinner?”
Bublik responded with a question of his own, leaving the decision in the youngster's hands. “What do you think?”
The boy chose Bublik, but his reasoning was not based on the players' respective achievements, their styles of play or their performances on the ATP Tour. “You, because unlike Sinner, you don't use doping.”
The remark put Bublik in an awkward position during what had appeared to be a light-hearted meeting with a young supporter. The accusation came from the boy, not Bublik, who had simply asked him to explain his choice.
Bublik is known for his unconventional personality and willingness to speak candidly, but in this instance, it was the young fan who supplied the provocative comment.
Source here. )) @pavyg All laughing. Bublik at the end: “Well, that was our conversation” https://t.co/w1n1dXVVrU
— Yerik_Ilyassov 🎾 (@yerikilyassov) October 19, 2026
What happened in Jannik Sinner's doping case?
Sinner's case began in March 2024, when he returned two positive tests for clostebol, a prohibited anabolic agent. The Italian explained that the substance had entered his system through accidental contamination after his physiotherapist used a product containing clostebol while treating a hand injury.
An independent tribunal accepted that explanation in August 2024, finding that Sinner bore no fault or negligence. He was allowed to continue competing, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) subsequently appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking a suspension of between one and two years.
Read also
In February 2025, WADA and Sinner reached a settlement under which the Italian accepted a three-month period of ineligibility, running from February 9 to May 4. WADA acknowledged that Sinner had not intentionally cheated, while maintaining that athletes are responsible under anti-doping rules for the actions of their support personnel.
The settlement brought the proceedings to a close, although it did not prevent the case from remaining a source of debate among tennis fans. Sinner returned to competition after serving his suspension and continued to compete at the highest level of the sport.
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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