Tennis star Alexander Bublik has launched a scathing attack on Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, criticising their 2024 retirements as a “circus” and taking aim at Murray’s new coaching role with Novak Djokovic.
The world No 33 sparked controversy by describing Murray as “bald and old” whilst claiming the British tennis legend was trying to “grasp at something that no longer exists” by joining Djokovic’s team.
The Kazakh player’s remarks come after both tennis greats concluded their decorated careers last year.
In his controversial interview, Bublik was particularly harsh about Murray’s appearance and legacy.
Andy Murray retired from playing last summer
PA
“Yes, I want to leave at the peak,” he said.
“It is clear that I am not Rafa, my legacy will be much smaller, if it can be called such. What happened to Andy Murray and Rafa was a circus.
“I can’t call it anything else. People have achieved everything, even we tennis players looked at them with our mouths open in the locker room – and then you see one of them bald and old.
“It is clear that he is no longer the same and will never be the same. In my opinion, this is even a shame, not a circus.
“Probably, it would be more correct to say so. Although Rafa still left normally.”
Bublik’s criticism extended to Murray’s new coaching partnership with Djokovic ahead of the Australian Open.
Alexander Bublik has launched a stunning attack on Andy Murray
REUTERS
“Now [Murray] has joined Novak Djokovic’s team. These are attempts to grasp at something that no longer exists, to some echoes of the past. I think this is a problem,” Bublik stated.
This is not Bublik’s first brush with controversy in tennis. At the 2023 US Open, he faced backlash for offensive comments during his match against Dominic Thiem.
During a first-round loss, Bublik allegedly said in Russian: “I am f***ing sick of giving careers back to disabled people.”
The comment drew criticism from Nick Kyrgios, who wrote on X: “This is low key horrible.”
When questioned about the incident, Thiem called it “a tough saying” and said it was “something you shouldn’t say in general, out of respect.”
Both Murray and Nadal received grand send-offs during their 2024 retirements.
Murray’s farewell came at the Paris Olympics, where he bowed out after reaching the men’s doubles quarter-finals.
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Rafael Nadal retired at the end of last year
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Nadal’s retirement in November was marked with a special ceremony at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, featuring a video montage of career highlights.
The Spanish champion received personal messages from tennis greats including Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic, with Murray also contributing to the tributes.
Over their 19-year rivalry, Nadal and Murray faced each other 24 times, with Nadal leading 17-7.