Aleksandr Bublik's tweener that wasn't: the (missed) magic at Indian Wells 2026

Once upon a time, there was a Aleksandr Bublik tweener... well, actually, no. At Indian Wells 2026, there was an attempt. Shame, then, that on the other side of the net stood Kopriva, a man not known for appreciating the joke. The Kazakh, famed for his circus-like antics, tried to rescue the point with a shot through his legs, but the Czech read it all the way and replied with a surgical passing shot that froze the crowd. For a split second, the Californian desert held its breath, then erupted in applause for both men: for Bublik's audacity and Kopriva's cool head.

The moment that will go global

There we were, sitting in the stands, when Aleksandr Bublikov – as his closest friends call him – dreamt up that moment of madness. Under pressure, on the baseline, instead of playing it safe, he opened his legs and struck the ball backwards. It looked like one of those exhibition stunts, but this was a crucial break point. Kopriva, however, didn't take the bait: he read the trajectory and slotted it past him with a down-the-line forehand. The result? A point lost, but an image destined for cult status. Because that's Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bublikov, class of 1997, for you: a juggler unafraid to fail.

Why we love Bublik (despite it all)

Those who follow the tour know: Aleksandr Bublik is the ultimate anti-hero. A world away from the robots repeating the same patterns, he plays on instinct, gifting us moments of pure entertainment. Here are three things that make him so unique:

• The tweener that got away: he misfired at Indian Wells, but his career is packed with legendary ones. It remains his signature move.
• The cosmic serve: when that first delivery lands, it's like a missile. In that match against Kopriva, he fired one down at 136 mph that made the net-cord sing.
• The irony: after the longest rally of the match – won by Kopriva with a drop shot – Bublik just started laughing, as if to say "I'll remember that one".

In a world of programmed athletes, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bublikov is the last of the humans: he messes up, but he tries things no one else dares to. And that, dear readers, is what keeps us falling in love with tennis.

What next after Indian Wells?

The Kazakh will leave the Coachella Valley tournament with no regrets. He's already gearing up for the next challenge, probably on grass, his favourite surface. It doesn't matter if he wins or loses; he'll carry on serving up those outrageous shots, making us laugh and making our hearts race. Maybe at the next tournament he'll have another go at that tweener, and maybe this time he'll pull it off. We'll be there, glued to the screen, waiting for his next piece of magic.