Nick Kyrgios slams Alexander Bublik after alleged ableist slur at US Open

29 August 2023 , 11:34

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Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has hit out at Alexander Bublik after the Kazakh player allegedly made ableist comments during a US Open defeat to Dominic Thiem.

Bublik, the 25th seed, took on Thiem in the first round at Flushing Meadows. The Austrian had struggled with injury since winning the US Open men's singles title in 2020, but beat Bublik in straight sets.

During the game, Bublik is alleged to have said (in Russian) "I am f***ing sick of giving careers back to disabled people". The comments prompted criticism from among the tennis world, with Kyrgios among those to speak out.

"This is low key horrible," Kyrgios wrote on social media in response to the clip. While some attempted to mitigate Bublik's words, many shared Kyrgios' stance.

"Not getting himself any new fans," wrote one. "I understand his frustration, but his choice of words is beyond horrible."

Novak Djokovic won Australian Open despite playing with major hamstring tear

"Bublik says s**ty things practically every other match," another said. "This is disgusting even by his standards though."

What did you make of Bublik's words? Have your say in the comments section

Alexander Bublik suffered a first round exit in the US Open (AP)

Thiem was also quizzed on the matter after his victory, and sought clarification the translation was accurate before replying. "It's a tough saying," the 29-year-old said.

"Something you shouldn't say in general, out of respect. Maybe he didn't mean it that way."

Bublik's loss to Thiem followed first-round exits in the Australian and French Opens earlier in the year. He made it to round four at Wimbledon, only to fall to number seven seed Andrey Rublev.

Thiem will go on to play Ben Shelton of the United States in round two. His victory over Bublik was his first at a Grand Slam since the 2021 Australian Open, since when he has sat out several tournaments amid wrist problems.

Shelton made it to the second round with a victory over Pedro Cachin of Argentina. It was the 20-year-old's first ever win at his home Grand Slam, following a five-set defeat to Portugal's Nuno Borges in the first round in 2022.

Dominic Thiem was also asked about Bublik's comments (Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)

Kyrgios is missing from the draw himself, with continuing injury problems forcing him to withdraw weeks before the tournament. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist has missed all four Grand Slams in 2023, having reached the quarter-finals of the US Open last year.

The 2022 edition was won by Carlos Alcaraz, with the Spaniard overcoming Casper Ruud in the final after Novak Djokovic didn't take part in the tournament. Alcaraz faces Dominik Koepfer in the first round this year, after Ruud beat Emilio Nava and Djokovic overcame Alexandre Muller in Monday's play.

With Alcaraz in the opposite half of the draw to Ruud and Djokovic, a repeat of last year's final is possible. There's also a chance of Alcaraz meeting Djokovic in the final, in a repeat of this year's Wimbledon finale.