FURIOUS Nick Kyrgios led the angry reaction to Alexander Bublik’s alleged disablist on-court slur.
Kazakhstani Bublik, 26, crashed out of the US Open first round in pathetic fashion to 2020 champion Dominic Thiem.
EPAAlexander Bublik sparked fury by labelling Dominic Thiem as ‘disabled’[/caption]
The No25 seed lost 6-3 6-2 6-4 in just one hour 52 minutes on Grandstand court – including one service game where he dropped four double faults.
He will receive £65,000 in prize money for his embarrassing efforts, which included smashing a racket against the court and claiming: “I don’t want to travel here anymore,” to his team as his first-round exit loomed.
However, there was one comment he reportedly made as he trailed 6-3 4-1 that sparked outrage.
As he prepared to receive at 30-0 and the camera was fixed on Thiem, Bublik is overheard making a comment in his native Russian by the microphones.
It is claimed the remark translates to: “I am f***ing sick of giving careers back to disabled people.”
Bublik’s latest defeat to Thiem comes after recent losses to veterans Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils.
All three tennis stars have had lengthy lay-offs due to injury and wins over controversial hot-head Bublik have helped on their road to recovery.
And Bublik’s vile remark was slammed on social media.
Injured Kyrgios, who is absent from the US Open but never far from criticism for his own behaviour, raged: “This is low key horrible.”
Another viewer said: “Bublik says s***y things practically every other match. This is disgusting even by his standards though.”
A third added: “Tremendous lack of respect.”
And a fourth commented: “Pathetic behaviour from Bublik.”
Thiem – who landed his first Grand Slam win since January 2021 – was asked about the comment during his press conference.
He said: “I don’t know if the translation is right. If it is, then it’s a tough saying. Something you shouldn’t say in general just out of respect.
“But maybe he didn’t mean it that way or whatever. But what can I say about it.”
Bublik has the ability to be both sublime and ridiculous on court – but his apparent utterance against Thiem was clearly unacceptable.
Last year, he was blasted for playing an “idiotic” shot with the handle of his racket at a crucial point in a final.
And in February, he obliterated three rackets one after the other in a spectacular meltdown.
APNick Kyrgios was among the many to condemn Bublik’s alleged comments[/caption]
EPAThiem beat Bublik easily for his first Grand Slam victory since January 2021[/caption]