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

Once upon a time, there was the Aleksandr Bublik tweener... well, actually no, at Indian Wells 2026, there was an attempt. Too bad that on the other side of the net was Kopriva, a guy who isn't a fan of tricks. The Kazakh, known for his circus-like shots, tried to save himself with a between-the-legs shot, but the Czech read it all the way and replied with a surgical passing shot that left the crowd stunned. The Californian desert held its breath for a moment, then erupted in applause for both: for Bublik's guts and Kopriva's cool head.

The moment that will go around the world

We were right there, sitting in the stands, when Aleksandr Bublikov – as his close friends call him – came up with that 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 tricks, but this was a crucial break point. Kopriva, however, didn't fall for the trap: he anticipated the trajectory and nailed him with a down-the-line forehand. The result? A point lost, but an image destined to become iconic. Because Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bublikov, born in 1997, is just like that: a juggler who isn't afraid to fail.

Why we love Bublik (despite everything)

Anyone who follows the circuit knows: Aleksandr Bublik is the ultimate anti-hero. Far from the robots repeating the same patterns, he plays on instinct, gifting us moments of pure entertainment. Here are three things that make him unique:

• The missed tweener: he failed at Indian Wells, but throughout his career, he's pulled off legendary ones. It remains his trademark.
• The cosmic serve: when that first serve lands, it's like a missile. In that match against Kopriva, he clocked one at 220 km/h that made the net cord whistle.
• 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'm filing that one away."

In a world of programmed athletes, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bublikov is the last of the humans: he makes mistakes, but he tries things no one else dares to. And this, dear readers, is what makes us fall in love with tennis.

And 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 continue to gift us those forbidden shots, make us laugh, and make our hearts race. Maybe at the next tournament, he'll try that tweener again, and maybe this time, he'll nail it. We'll be there, glued to our screens, waiting for his next bit of magic.