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Alexander Bublik, the world No. 50 males’s tennis participant, smashed three rackets throughout a second of frustration within the first spherical of the Open Sud de France on Wednesday. He got here in because the defending champion however noticed an early exit this 12 months after shedding to French opponent Gregoire Barrere by a rating of 4-6, 7-6 (14-12) 6-7 (3-7).
Barrere took the primary set 6-4, however Bublik tried to bounce again in the second. That set went to a tiebreaker and did not cease till Bublik got here out on high 14-12. The third set additionally wanted a tiebreaker, and Bublik was not in a position to cover his feelings when his opponent took a 6-0 lead. He smashed a racket 5 instances whereas the gang booed loudly.
Broadcaster Sue Thearle mentioned the great factor was that he had different rackets, however Bublik had different plans for them. He walked over to his bench to take out one other racket and smash it 4 instances.
Two is similar variety of rackets that world No. 20 Nick Kyrgios — who is thought in tennis for his unhealthy boy angle — destroyed throughout final 12 months’s US Open. However, Bublik was not finished but as a result of he picked up a 3rd one and in addition hit it 4 instances.
“Well, that is getting out of hand now,”broadcaster Mikey Perera mentioned.
The 25-year-old grabbed a fourth racket however that one survived as he was lastly prepared to return on the courtroom and end the match. Here is a video of Bublik’s meltdown:
Bublik went on to complete the day with 19 aces and 14 double faults. This hasn’t been a superb 12 months for him thus far, as his loss on Wednesday dropped him to 0-7 in 2023.
