Bublik: 'I work hard, but on my terms'

Taking on Bublik means finding no rhythm; he can have prolonged dips in concentration and the shot selection can come across as erratic. He’s funny and chatty during matches, yet can also appear disinterested.

With his extensive repertoire, the 27-year-old rose to a career-high ranking of No.17 last May, only to tumble back to as low as No.82 in March. He is currently world No.62

Forget a conventional training block, or island retreat, Bublik took a trip to Las Vegas three months ago to take his mind away from tennis.

"My fall was not linked with lack of attitude and lack of practising," he said. "It was the exact opposite. I just burned out because I was waiting for the results to come.

"I was like, ‘If I practise more, if I hit better forehands, it will come.’ It didn't, and then I got to the point of 'OK, why am I sacrificing so much? For what?'”

Bublik’s three-day adventure to Nevada was all about switching off.

“Vegas, like a hangover thing Vegas,” he admitted. “I had just let it all out. I said, I'm useless now, I can't win a match, so let it be, let's see how it goes."

The blowing off steam worked and Bublik returned to action, arriving in Phoenix, Arizona, just three hours before his first match. He dispatched four Top 100 opponents before finishing runner-up to Joao Fonseca for the Challenger title.

Onto the clay and Bublik rustled up a mixed bag before heading to Roland-Garros. He was boosted by defeating Alex Michelsen, Alexei Popyrin and Andrey Rublev en route to the Madrid Masters 1000 Last 16. He also won five matches at a Challenger in Turin last month.

The Vegas break, the win accumulation, Bublik has now compiled his best Grand Slam showing to date here in Paris.

In the second round, the 27-year-old overhauled world No.9 Alex de Minaur from a two-set deficit. On Monday, he demonstrated his wizardry with drop shots and net prowess to blaze past world No.5 Jack Draper 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

“I left it all out there,” Bublik said, holding back the tears during his on-court interview.

“One hundred per cent one of the best days of my life and one of the best matches I have ever played in my life.”

From the way he fell to the ground at match point and the emotion he showed, it's clear Bublik cares. But the way he can drift in matches has cost him before in the Grand Slam arena, and he has only reached the fourth round of a major once before - at Wimbledon in 2023.

His pursuit of tennis success is all about balance.

“I will continue my path. I will work my way, because I still practise, guys. Don't worry, I'm not hitting 30 minutes a day. I still do the exact minimum and maximum at the same time in order to be the player I am, to be in the position I am, and I will continue with this path, because I think I prioritise tennis and the life in equal ways,” he said.

“For me it's a 50/50 relationship. So it's not like tennis takes 90, and then it's okay. If I can't walk at the age of 40, it's okay. No, it's not.

“It's doing necessarily what I have to do in order to be able to compete against the top of the game, which I showcased every season I played in the past six, seven years, but will I put my health on the line? No."

Bublik had his tennis perspective shifted in 2022, when he became a parent.

“There is no way around hard work. Don't get me wrong. I work hard, but on my terms,” he said. “I prioritise the health and my lifestyle, as well, because I have a family and I'm a father, and I have to do the father duties.

“Sometimes it didn't work; sometimes it worked marvellously when I was Top 20.”

In the past, Bublik has never shied away from his disdain for competing on clay, with a tour-level record of 28-36 on the dirt prior to his breakthrough Roland-Garros campaign.

“Maybe this is the first year I haven't complained about playing on clay, as I don't have a lot of options because I was dropping a lot in the rankings,” he said. “I guess that's the key.”

In the aftermath of downing world No.5 Draper, Bublik insisted his approach is paying off. “In certain moments I do believe there is only one chance,” he said.

“That's how I approach it, and that's why I played full and I played high risk, because that was the only chance.”

Bublik will need another match of his life in the quarter-finals over the net from world No.1 Jannik Sinner. Forget a script, especially if he earns another "chance".