Alexander Bublik had an exceptional 2024 season, firmly remaining within the world's top 50. His performance on the ATP Tour continued to shine as he added to his impressive trophy collection.

Unraveling Bublik's Tennis Journey and Decision

Winning the Open Suud de France

Earlier in the year, Bublik achieved a significant victory by winning the Open Suud de France. He beat Borna Coric in straight sets, claiming his fourth career title. This was his second title at the event in three years, having previously won his first ATP title against Alexander Zverev back in 2022. It was a remarkable moment in his career, showcasing his skills and determination on the court.

Bublik's win at the Open Suud de France was not just a random occurrence. It was the result of his consistent hard work and dedication. He trained tirelessly to improve his game and was able to execute his strategies flawlessly during the tournament. This victory added another feather to his cap and solidified his position as a top player in the tennis world.

The atmosphere during the tournament was electric, with fans cheering loudly for Bublik. His victory was a source of pride for the Kazakh community and inspired many young tennis players. Bublik's success at the Open Suud de France was a testament to his talent and ability to perform under pressure.

Reaching the Final of the Dubai Open

This year, Bublik also reached the final of the Dubai Open. He put up a strong fight against Frenchman Ugo Humbert but unfortunately came up just short. Despite the disappointment of not winning the title, his performance in the final was a testament to his skill and competitiveness.

Bublik's journey to the Dubai Open final was filled with challenges and obstacles. He had to face some of the best players in the world and overcome tough opponents. However, his determination and resilience allowed him to keep pushing forward and reach the final.

The Dubai Open final was a closely contested match, with both players giving their all. Bublik showed great sportsmanship and respect for his opponent throughout the match. Although he didn't emerge as the winner, his performance earned him the respect of fans and fellow players alike.

Recalling the Time He Wanted to Retire

Speaking to Nick Kyrgios and Patrick Mouratoglou for UTS, Bublik opened up about a time during his career when he considered retiring.“I was saying ‘I don’t want to play tennis, I don’t like that, I want to play for money all these things’,” he said.“At that moment in 2022, I could finish and leave peacefully, you know do nothing.”But Bublik eventually decided not to retire from the sport. He looked back on his time in tennis and asked himself if he really wanted to give up on his dream.“I said, do I like it or do I not?” said the Kazakh number one.“I said yes, that was my dream, yes, so then I have to respect that.”He realized that he had to respect the young boy who had stood next to the mirror practicing and working hard to achieve his goals.“I said to myself and my wife that I have to respect that life gave me the opportunity to [play tennis].”Since then, Bublik's mindset has completely changed. He is no longer stressed on the court and has a more relaxed approach to the game.“If I lose that’s life, if I win, that’s life too. Everything changed in my tennis when I simply reminded myself that this was what I wanted.”

Comparing with Other Young Tennis Players Who Retired

Fans are grateful that Bublik made the decision to continue playing tennis. However, there have been several other ATP and WTA stars who stepped away from the game at a young age.Ashleigh Barty - 25 years oldThe Australian was ranked number one in the world and the defending champion at Wimbledon and the Australian Open. But at just 25 years old, she shocked the tennis world by retiring. She said that she no longer had the emotional or physical drive to compete and wanted to chase other dreams.Bjorn Borg - 26 years oldAt 11 times a Grand Slam champion and just 26 years old, Bjorn Borg's story often leaves us wondering what could have been. He called it quits in 1986, frustrated with the sport despite his dominance on the ATP Tour for much of the past decade. He even attempted a comeback in 1991 but struggled to find his previous form and retired again in 1993.Martina Hingis - 22 years oldThe Swiss star won five Major titles before her 20th birthday and took the tennis world by storm. But her early career exploits led to burnout, and she retired from the sport at just 22 years old due to injuries. However, as is often the case with young retirees, she returned to the sport multiple times and achieved great success on the doubles court, returning to world number one and winning a further four Major titles.