On social media, Alexander Bublik has come under fire for allegedly labeling Dominic Thiem as “disabled” during their match at the US Open on Monday.
Thiem, an Austrian tennis player who won the Flushing Meadows title three years ago, excelled when he defeated 25th-seed Bublik by scores of 6-3, 6-2, and 6-4.
For Thiem, who has battled injuries recently, it was a meaningful win. He has now advanced to the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time since the Australian Open in 2021.
However, their encounter was clouded by controversy after a video of Kazakhstani player Bublik appearing to speak in Russian during the match went viral. Bublik spoke: “I’m f****** sick of getting all these disabled people back in their career.”
It appears to be a reference to a number of his losses in 2023 against players who recovered from serious injuries. Bublik also lost to Gael Monfils this year, while Stan Wawrinka has defeated him twice.
Bublik has losses against Monfils, Wawrinka (twice) and now Thiem in 2023.
Tremendous lack of respect.https://t.co/9yCMubxFPA
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 28, 2023
Dominic Thiem was asked about Bublik saying ‘I’m sick of giving careers back to disabled people’ during the match:
“I don’t know if the translation is right, you know. If it is, then it’s a tough saying. Something you shouldn’t say in general just out of respect. But maybe he… pic.twitter.com/DBfsVFymhq
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 28, 2023
Even being a clown has its limits, like wtf???
— S. E. (@tennis_inmyhead) August 28, 2023
Alexander Bublik in 2023
Now the world no.27, the Kazakhstani played his last match on the 28th of August when he lost to world no.81 Dominic Thiem 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the 1st round of the U.S. Open (draw).
This season Bublik owns a compiled 20-25 match record. The Kazakhstani has won 1 title in Halle.
Thiem at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2023
LLLLWLWLLL At the moment ranked no.81, the Austrian achieved a 19-23 win-loss record in 2023. Dominic is now competing at the U.S. Open where he defeated the world no.27 Alexander Bublik 6-3 6-2 6-4.
Dominic Thiem will play the world no.47 Ben Shelton in the 2nd round. The head to head is 1-0 for Thiem.
Thiem was the runner-up in Kitzbuhel (Generali Open).
The Austrian won 17 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 10 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Alexander Bublik and Dominic Thiem played each other only on 2 occasions. Their head to head is 2-0 for Thiem. Previously, the last time they played, Dominic Thiem won 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the 1st round in New York (U.S. Open) on the 28th of August 2023.
Alexander Bublik and Dominic Thiem |
| Embed from Getty Images |
