“Don’t go crazy”: Alexander Bublik’s simple rule for a career-best season

Alexander Bublik isn’t overthinking it, and maybe that’s exactly why he’s thriving.

Kazakhstan’s top player arrived in Paris this weekend for the Rolex Paris Masters—now held at its new home, La Défense Arena—and started strong with a 6-4, 6-3 opening-round win over Alexei Popyrin on Monday.

The victory came as a sharp rebound from his loss to Jannik Sinner last week in Vienna, which left Bublik trailing 1–3 in their 2025 head-to-head record.

Read More: What did Alexander Bublik say to Jannik Sinner at net after Vienna loss?

Seeded No. 13 in Paris, Bublik is in the midst of a career-best season. He’s ranked inside the Top 20, still in contention for a spot at the ATP Finals in Turin, and credits his success to one simple mindset:

“Don’t go crazy,” Bublik said, speaking to Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj after the win. “For me, it’s mostly about the mindset that I go into the tournament. Now I came to the point when I have a chance to achieve something big—maybe be in Turin, or maybe make Top 10 because I’m not defending many points.

“It’s a bit easier now, because… if I’m No. 30 in the world, what? Why am I playing here? I would lose first round, go on vacation…

“Now I enjoy more because, you know, maybe I’m gonna achieve something big that I never thought I could achieve, and it would be stupid to waste that.”

This time last year, Bublik was ranked outside the Top 30 (No. 33) and had exited the Paris Masters in the second round against Holger Rune. From a previous career-high of No. 17 in 2024, his ranking plummeted as low as No. 82 as the ATP Tour’s resident showman hit a slump, battling motivation and consistency.

Read More: A Las Vegas road trip helped burnt out Alexander Bublik get back on track

The turning point came after his confidence-boosting second-round win over No. 9 seed Alex de Minaur at Roland Garros—a result that set him on course for his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, where he lost to Sinner in straight sets.

“When I beat Alex de Minaur in Roland Garros… I promised my coach to be professional, to stay there, and see if there is something in me that can bring me back. So I just kept my promise and kept playing, and results started to come,” Bublik reflected.

“I achieved a lot of things this year, which I’m happy about, and it all came with a promise that I will just play tennis…”

Known for his mercurial personality and nonconformist approach, Bublik has never been one to sacrifice health or balance for the sake of rankings. Yet, true to form, he’s still found his way back to the top—and done it his own way.

This season, he’s captured four ATP titles: his second ATP 500 crown in Halle (which included a win over world No. 1 Sinner) and three ATP 250 trophies in Gstaad, Kitzbühel, and most recently, Hangzhou.

Currently sitting at a career-high No. 16 and holding the No. 15 spot in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin, Bublik remains mathematically alive for a finals berth—though he’s keeping his expectations in check and already dreaming of some off-season downtime.

Read More: Race to the ATP Finals: Battle for last four spots in Turin could reach boiling point in Paris

You just try to survive… If not, I mean, it’s always time to go to Switzerland on vacation... Obviously, I’m not a Maldives guy! Bublik on the end of the season

“I don’t want to put extra weight on my shoulders. I mean, it’s the end of the season, everyone’s hurt, you feel every part of your body,” Bublik said. “You just try to survive… If not, I mean, it’s always time to go to Switzerland on vacation.”

“Obviously, I’m not a Maldives guy!” he added. “I’m not posting pictures with the bike and the dog and the wife on my shoulders.

“I’m not that kind of guy! Let me be in peace.”

Standing between Bublik and his well-earned mountain getaway is the winner of Corentin Moutet and lucky loser Reilly Opelka, who face off on Tuesday.

🖥️📲 Catch all the action from the Rolex Paris Masters on Tennis Channel.