Aleksandr Bublik's Tweener That Wasn't: The (Almost) Magic of Indian Wells 2026
Once upon a time, there was a signature Aleksandr Bublik tweener... well, not quite. At Indian Wells 2026, there was an attempt. Too bad that on the other side of the net stood Kopriva, a guy who's not really into jokes. The Kazakh, famous for his circus-like shots, tried to pull off a 'tweener, but the Czech read it all the way and fired back a surgical passing shot that left the crowd stunned. The Californian desert held its breath for a moment, then erupted in applause for both guys: for Bublik's guts and Kopriva's cool head.
The moment that's about to go viral
We were right there in the stands when Aleksandr Bublik came up with that bit of madness. Under pressure, on the baseline, instead of playing it safe, he opened his legs and hit it backwards. It felt like something from an exhibition match, but this was a crucial break point. Kopriva, however, didn't fall for it: he anticipated the shot and passed him down the line with his forehand. The result? A lost point, but an image destined to become iconic. Because that's just who Aleksandr Bublik is: a showman who's not afraid to mess up.
Why we love Bublik (flaws and all)
If you follow the tour, you know: Aleksandr Bublik is the ultimate anti-hero. A world away from the robots running the same old drills, 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 legendary ones in his career. It's still his trademark move.
- That monster serve: When his first serve lands, it's like a rocket. In that match against Kopriva, he fired one down at 220 km/h that absolutely sizzled.
- His sense of humour: After the longest rally of the match – which Kopriva won with a drop shot – Bublik just started laughing, as if to say, "okay, you got me there, I'll remember that one."
In a world full of programmed athletes, Aleksandr Bublik is the last of the entertainers: he makes mistakes, 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 gearing up for the next challenge, probably on grass, his favourite surface. It doesn't matter if he wins or loses; he'll keep on treating us to those outrageous shots, making us laugh and 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 right there, glued to our screens, waiting for his next bit of magic.