Alexander Bublik accused of using ‘disabled people’ slur during US Open meltdown

Tennis

By Information.com.au

August 29, 2023 | 8:27am

Alexander Bublik has been criticized for an obvious slur that was picked up by on-court microphones throughout his first-round loss on the U.S. Open.

Former champion Dominic Thiem secured his first grand slam win in virtually three years, defeating Bublik 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Thiem ended a seven-match dropping streak at grand slams, which included a run of six consecutive first-round exits following his run to the Spherical of 16 on the 2021 Australian Open.

He was helped by an erratic Bublik, who dedicated 17 double faults and 44 unforced errors.

Thiem, who turns 30 on Sunday, noticed his part of the draw open up additional as fourth seed Holger Rune crashed out to journeyman Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.

Bublik has been slammed after he was accused of constructing a weird remark whereas expressing his frustration throughout the match.

“I’m f–king sick of getting all these disabled folks again of their profession,” the twenty fifth seed from Kazakstan was heard saying, in a language apart from English.

The slur gave the impression to be in reference to Thiem’s damage woes.

Bublik, who has a historical past of controversial on-court incidents, has additionally misplaced to veterans Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka this yr as they returned from damage.

Tennis journalist Jose Morgado tweeted: “Bublik has losses in opposition to Monfils, Wawrinka (twice) and now Thiem in 2023. Large lack of respect.”

Nick Kyrgios, who’s lacking the US Open with damage, stated: “That is low key horrible.”

Thiem was requested about Bublik’s remark in his post-match press convention.

“I don’t know if the interpretation is correct, you recognize,” Thiem stated.

“Whether it is, then it’s a troublesome saying. One thing you shouldn’t say normally simply out of respect. However perhaps he didn’t imply it that manner or no matter. However what can I say about it.”

Thiem’s profession has nosedived since his crowning second in 2020, when he got here from two units behind to beat Alexander Zverev in that yr’s pandemic-affected US Open remaining held with out followers.

As soon as the world No. 3, Thiem’s rating plummeted to 352 in June 2022 after a wrist damage sidelined him for 9 months and prevented him from defending his US Open title.

“It was an excellent match principally from the primary second on,” Thiem after the win over Bublik. “It’s a fairly particular victory, as a result of it’s the primary since two-and-a-half years at Grand Slams,”

Subsequent up for Thiem is US teen Ben Shelton — one in all 19 People who began within the males’s subject.