Alexander Bublik is known for being unpredictable during his matches, but he truly outdid himself with his actions during his contest at the 2024 Adelaide International.
The Kazakhstani player has had numerous notable incidents throughout his career. An example was his out-of-nowhere retirement at the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters, which shocked everyone watching at the time.
There are many other examples of Bublik being mercurial, entertaining, and exasperating tennis fans in equal measure. However, his latest antics involving a fan are definitely not something he has done before.
Bublik was playing the young and extremely talented Lorenzo Musetti at the Adelaide International. The two were in the early stages of the third set, and the contest was a real battle.
It had been a terrific opening two sets. Musetti had just claimed the second set on a tiebreak, and the match was locked at 2-1 on serve to Bublik in the decider.
Most players would take this as a key moment to avoid any distractions, and just focus on what is happening on the court. But Bublik is not like most players, and he decided he could use a small snack.
Bublik chased a shot from Musetti unsuccessfully in his forehand corner. However, he could not stop his momentum and had to jump over one of the advertising boards, ending up beside the crowd members in the front row.
Unbelievably, with a hand on the crowd member's shoulder, Bublik reached into a bag of crisps that he was holding, picked one out, and ate it right in front of him. The fan involved was in fits of laughter as it happened.
Bublik, who is on the Montpellier Open entry list that takes place after the Australian Open, went on to win the third set. Perhaps his unique action helped to inspire him to victory somehow.
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