Alexander Bublik Makes Jaw-Dropping Confession About Almost Retiring from Tennis After Wimbledon Last Year

Alexander Bublik won his second Halle Open title of his career by defeating Daniil Medvedev.

Alexander Bublik Makes Jaw-Dropping Confession About Almost Retiring from Tennis After Wimbledon Last Year

Alexander Bublik (via Punto de Break)

Alexander Bublik made a heartfelt revelation after winning the Halle title, admitting he nearly retired from tennis following Wimbledon last year. Speaking after his victory over Daniil Medvedev, the Kazakh said that he had been struggling to find joy in the sport. He even told his coach he would make a final decision about his future after Wimbledon.

Bublik shared that he considered taking a long break or possibly walking away from the game entirely. The emotional toll of repeated losses had taken its toll, especially after dropping to 80th in the ATP rankings earlier this year. His breakthrough came after a strong showing at the Phoenix Challenger, which helped rebuild his confidence. Bublik said in post-match interview:

I was close to calling it quits after Wimbledon because I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. This is happening. QF in French. Winner here. I have no words.

Since then, Bublik has gone on a remarkable run. He reached the fourth round in Madrid, followed by his first-ever Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland Garros. Now, he has captured his second Halle Open title by defeating Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(4) in the final. The win also marked his first career victory over the former World No. 1.

Bublik’s aggressive playstyle was key in Halle, where he won 79% of his first-serve points and handled pressure moments with composure. The title is his fifth on the ATP Tour and highlights a stunning mid-season turnaround. With renewed motivation and form, he now heads to Eastbourne and Wimbledon with momentum on his side.

Alexander Bublik claims second Halle Open title

Kazakh star Alexander Bublik continued his impressive form by winning the Terra Wortmann Open on Sunday. He defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(4) in the final to claim his second Halle title. The Kazakh showcased his trademark style, mixing powerful serves, aggressive groundstrokes, and clever drop shots to seal the victory.

Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Bublik
Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Bublik (Image via X/We Are Tennis, Univers Tennis)

This win marked Bublik’s first triumph over Medvedev in seven attempts. It came just weeks after he reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland Garros. His form has taken a sharp turn since March, when he was struggling with consistent losses on tour.

Earlier in the season, Bublik had lost 18 of 22 matches. A runner-up finish at the Phoenix Challenger sparked his turnaround. He followed it with a strong performance in Madrid, reaching the fourth round, and carried that momentum into the French Open and now Halle.

At 27, Bublik has become only the fourth man to win the Halle title more than once. He joins an elite group alongside Roger Federer, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, and Tommy Haas. His win over World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the second round further highlighted his growing threat on grass.

How Alexander Bublik won Halle Open

The Halle Open final began with both players holding serve comfortably. But Alexander Bublik soon found his rhythm and strung together 12 straight points to take control. He fought back from 0/30 to hold for 4-3, then broke Daniil Medvedev with a series of aggressive returns, including a powerful backhand down the line. That break to love helped him wrap up the first set with confidence.

Alexander Bublik, Daniil Medvedev
Alexander Bublik, Daniil Medvedev (Image via X/We Are Tennis, The Tennis Letter)

In the second set, Bublik’s level dipped slightly. He hit five double faults after a clean first set, giving Medvedev opportunities to recover. The Russian built a 4/1 lead in the tie-break and looked poised to push the match to a third set. But two surprising backhand errors at 4/3 turned the tide, allowing Bublik to win four straight points and secure the match in 81 minutes.

According to Infosys ATP Stats, Bublik won 79% of points behind his first serve. His strong serving and fearless shotmaking earned him his fifth ATP Tour title. It was his first trophy since winning in Montpellier in February 2024, adding another milestone to his resurgent season.

Despite the loss, Medvedev’s run to the final helped him climb four spots in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin. He now sits at 14th in the standings. The 29-year-old continues his pursuit of a 21st career title, with this being his first final appearance since Indian Wells earlier in the year.

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