Aleksandr Bublik's Tweener That Wasn't Meant To Be: The (Almost) Magic at Indian Wells 2026

Once upon a time, there was a legendary Aleksandr Bublik tweener... well, not this time. At Indian Wells 2026, there was an attempt. The only problem was Kopriva on the other side of the net, a bloke who's not really one for funny business. The Kazakh, famous for his circus-shot antics, tried to pull off a 'tweener to save the point, but the Czech read him like a book and fired back a surgical passing shot that left the crowd stunned. The Californian desert held its breath for a second, then erupted in applause for both: for Bublik's sheer audacity and Kopriva's cool head.

The moment that'll go viral

We were right there in the stands when Alexander Bublik came up with that bit of madness. Under the pump on the baseline, instead of playing it safe, he opened his legs and went for the 'tweener. It felt like something from an exhibition match, but this was a crucial break point. Kopriva, though, didn't buy it: he read the play and smoked a forehand down the line past him. The result? A lost point, but a moment that's destined to become iconic. Because that's Alexander Bublik for you: a showman who's not afraid to have a crack, even if it goes wrong.

Why we love Bublik (flaws and all)

Anyone who follows the tour knows it: Aleksandr Bublik is the ultimate anti-hero. A world away from the robotic players stuck in the same patterns, he plays on instinct, serving up pure entertainment. Here are three things that make him one of a kind:

• The tweener that got away: he missed it at Indian Wells, but he's pulled off some absolute pearlers in his career. It's still his trademark.
• The thunderbolt serve: when that first serve lands, it's an absolute rocket. In that match against Kopriva, he fired one down at 220 km/h that nearly ripped the strings.
• The sense of humour: after the longest rally of the match – which Kopriva won with a cheeky drop shot – Bublik just had a laugh, like he was saying "fair play, you got me."

In a world full of programmed athletes, Alexander Bublik is the last of the true players: he mucks it up sometimes, but he tries things no one else dares to. And that, folks, is what makes us fall in love with tennis.

What's next after Indian Wells?

The Kazakh will leave the Coachella Valley tournament with no regrets. He's already looking ahead to the next challenge, probably on grass, his favourite surface. Doesn't matter if he wins or loses: he'll keep serving up those forbidden shots, making us laugh and making our hearts race. Maybe at the next tournament, he'll have another crack at that tweener, and maybe this time it'll come off. We'll be there, glued to the screen, waiting for his next bit of magic.