Alexander Bublik didn’t hold back in his post-match press conference after reaching the semifinals of the Rolex Paris Masters. The Kazakh player, known for his candid assessments, described the new court at Paris La Défense Arena as unusually slow—slower even than clay.
“It’s definitely slower than clay, in my opinion,” said Bublik, who will face Félix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinal. He elaborated on how the surface affects ball behavior, particularly after the bounce, noting that the court absorbs the energy players typically rely on for spin and pace.
Surface Dynamics and Spin Reduction
Bublik explained that clay courts, despite their reputation for being slow, allow for a higher bounce and more post-bounce acceleration, which helps generate topspin and push opponents back.
“On clay you have a higher bounce… and on clay the ball has more speed after it bounces. So after the bounce, it can generate the spin. You can move an opponent back with using a topspin,” he said.
In contrast, the Paris Masters court seems to neutralize these effects. The lack of “whip” in the ball’s trajectory has made aggressive strokes and kick serves less effective.
Adjusting to the Slowest Indoor Hard Court
“If you do a great topspin or a great kick serve, you don’t have this whip that puts opponent back on their back foot. So that’s the biggest difference,”
Bublik added.He concluded that the current surface is among the slowest he has ever played on indoors.
“That’s why the indoor hard, especially this one, is one of the slowest I have played, yes.”
Venue Change and Tactical Shifts
The tournament’s relocation to Paris La Défense Arena has brought a notable shift in playing conditions. According to official metrics, the court speed has dropped by over 25% compared to last year’s faster setup. This change has forced players to rethink their strategies, especially those who thrive on quick surfaces.
Bublik’s remarks highlight the growing importance of adaptability in modern tennis, where venue changes can dramatically alter the nature of competition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su2NDuuQ9-Y
ATP Paris - Alexander Bublik's projected path
Bublik in Paris, ranking, and results in 2025
Currently ranked no.16 (career-high), the Kazakhstani has managed to achieve a 48-22 win-loss record in 2025. The Kazakhstani is competing in Paris where he bested the world no.47 Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-3, the world no.32 Corentin Moutet 6-3 7-5, the world no.4 Taylor Fritz 7-6(5) 6-2 and the world no.6 Alex De Minaur 6-7(5) 6-4 7-5.
Alexander Bublik will come up against the world no.10 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinal on Saturday at 2:30 pm on COURT CENTRAL. Their head to head is 3-2 for Auger-Aliassime.
The Kazakhstani conquered 5 titles in 2025 in the Turin Challenger, Halle, Gstaad, Kitzbuhel and Hangzhou. Alexander was the runner-up in the Phoenix Challenger.
Alexander won 8 titles in his career: 1 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts, 3 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Metz (Moselle Open). The main draw will start on the 2nd of November.