"I’m just thinking of how Serena Williams was treated" - Tennis fans criticize Alexander Bublik's triple racket smash in Montpellier

Alexander Bublik has received plenty of backlash from tennis fans for his antics in Montpellier on Wednesday.

Bublik was playing France's Gregoire Barrere in the first round of the ATP 250 series tournament. The Kazakh lost the opening set of the match but fought hard and remained composed to get level in the second set, winning an intense tie-break.

The deciding set reached yet another tie-break, where the Frenchman went 6-0 clear at the start, securing six match points.

At that point, Bublik vented his frustration by smashing three rackets in a row. And several fans were left disgusted by that, labeling the player's actions unprofessional.

One fan compared Serena Williams' meltdown at the 2018 US Open to Bublik's act on Wednesday. While Williams was handed a game penalty for her actions, Bublik received just a warning from the chair umpire.

"I’m just thinking of how Serena Williams was treated. For doing not-this," they tweeted.

I’m just thinking of how Serena Williams was treated. For doing not-this. twitter.com/rodger/status/…

Another fan compared Bublik to Rafael Nadal, pointing out how well-mannered the Spaniard is. Nadal has famously not broken a single racket his entire career.

"This is why I am proud that I am Nadal fan.. he never broke a racket in his life.. many kids dream of having a racket like this that's shame.. Tennis is a classy sport," they wrote in their tweet.

@TennisTV @OpenSuddeFrance This is why I am proud that I am Nadal fan.. he never broke a racket in his life.. many kids dream of having a racket like this that's shame.. Tennis is a classy sport

Another fan criticized Bublik for casually leaving the "trash" on the court and expecting someone else to clean up the mess he caused by smashing his rackets.

"Best part is leaving the trash behind so someone can clean up after him. What a nice guy," their tweet read.

@TennisTV @OpenSuddeFrance Best part is leaving the trash behind so someone can clean up after him. What a nice guy.

One fan pointed out that there are kids who just wish for a single racket to play with, before expressing their annoyance with Bublik's behavior.

"Mind you there are kids who wish they had just one racket to play with……….anyways," they wrote.

Here are a few other fan reactions:

Imagine the amount of hate Iga would get if she even scratched one racquet 💀 twitter.com/Stroppa_Del/st…

@rodger Best part was the chair umpire waiting until he was done smashing the third one.... and THEN he issues only a warning for racket abuse!

@rodger He needs to be more professional and not throw tantrums

@LisaMcCray @deray This is just embarrassing. This behavior is unacceptable in the workplace, even if your workplace is outside. Childish nonsense

clown twitter.com/Stroppa_Del/st…

Is this a good example of sportsmanship???? Incredibly questionable attitude! twitter.com/stroppa_del/st…

A look at how Alexander Bublik has fared so far in 2023

Alexander Bublik started his 2023 campaign at the ASB Classic in Auckland. He suffered a first-round exit though, losing against David Goffin in straight sets.

Bublik then traveled to Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the season. He fought hard against 30th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina but lost the match in five sets.

After Melbourne, Alexander Bublik flew to France for the Montpellier Open. The World No. 50 went down 6-0 in the final set tie-break against Barrere in his first-round match, at which point he got into his racket-smashing act. Although Bublik earned three points back, Barrere eventually got the job done and handed the Kazakh another loss.

In other words, Bublik is yet to register a win in 2023.