Andy Murray has been branded as an “embarrassment” by controversial tennis star Alexander Bublik.
The Kazakhstani player did not hold back when giving his thoughts on the three-time Grand Slam winner, claiming Murray’s decision to step away from the game became something of a “circus”. Bublik is no stranger to courting controversy and has often made headlines for his anarchic views.
Nevertheless, his latest may have crossed the line with the 27-year-old also taking aim at how Rafael Nadalhandled his retirement from the sport. Bublik was left deeply unimpressed with how both icons continued playing as they battled through injury, callously stating: “We saw a bald man and an old man”, in reference to the two legends.
Murray, 37, called time on his 20 year long career in August 2024 after a heroic run to the doubles quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics. Nadal, 38, meanwhile walked away from the game in November of the same year after giving a speech at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
A video montage was played of his career highlights and the Spaniard received personal messages from several of the game’s greatest players. However, speaking to Russian media Match TV, Bublik was left apathetic at each player’s grand farewell, while also blasting Murray’s recent decision to help coach Novak Djokovic as of a way of clinging to the past.
“We want to retire in the best possible way. It’s clear that I’m not Rafa Nadal and my legacy will be much smaller, if you can call it that, but he is not what he was and will never be again,” Bublik said.
“What happened with Nadal and Andy Murray in their retirements was a circus, I can’t call it anything else. We used to watch them with our mouths open in the locker room but then you see a bald man and an old man. For me it was an embarrassment, a circus. I think that’s the most correct way to put it.”
Speaking of the Scot’s union with his once great rival Djokovic, Bublik was characteristically nonchalant. “It’s an attempt to prolong something that is no longer there, some echoes of the past,” he added.
“I think it’s a problem and I hope not to live the same situation when the day of retirement comes. Maybe at 36 I’ll go to the Challenger in Bangkok, but I still hope to go out with a clear conscience.”
Bublik, who has only ever reached the fourth round at one Grand Slam, faced Murray on five occasions. And the two-time Wimbledon champion came out on top in three of those matches.
Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time the Russian born star has found himself making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Australian star Nick Kyrgios was forced to call out Bublik for using offensive language towards disabled people at the US Open in 2023.
Bublik is now preparing to compete in his first tournament of the season at the Adelaide International, which begins today (Tuesday, January 7), in what will be his only tournament before the Australian Open.
Murray’s union with Djokovic, meanwhile, has raised some eyebrows. But he will now be aiming to help the Serbian star win a record-extending 25th men’s Grand Slam title at the Australian major.
Discussing Murray’s role on his coaching staff, Djokovic said: “I love talking to him about the nuances, the details, how I can improve my game, how I can gain an inch, court positioning more comparing to my opponent, and every bit of percentage counts at the highest level.”