Alexander Bublik discussed the challenges he encountered playing in the morning following his victory over Borna Coric at the Rotterdam Open on Tuesday (February 13).
Bublik’s match against Coric, a rematch of the Montpellier final that Bublik won earlier this month, commenced around 11 A.M. local time in Rotterdam. The Kazakh player admitted that he is not accustomed to competing at such an early hour.
After securing a 6-3, 6-4 win in the first round of the ATP 500 event, Bublik was asked about the most satisfying aspect of his performance against the Croatian opponent. With a touch of humor, the World No. 23 responded (via Tennis Channel):
“The most pleasing part of my performance? Winning at 11 AM. I haven’t done this in the past 3 years, so I had no expectations when I saw the schedule. I was like, ‘Okay, I won’t be playing.’ In the morning, I was texting my coach around 7:30. The last time I woke up at 7:30 was before October.
Before 10, you won’t see me awake.” Bublik also quipped about considering withdrawing from the tournament upon seeing the match timings. He elaborated:
“I was texting my coach, ‘Maybe we should just pull out.’ I mean, I go to sleep at 7:30. I mean, what is this for? Huh, tell me?
So I’m really happy just to get through, and I’m really happy with my performance, that I stayed there, I put the balls in the court, even though it was very difficult for me at such an early time, you know, 11. Who does work at 11? I don’t know. So yeah, I’m just happy to get through.”
