The Kazakh player  alexander bublik , currently ranked number 10 in the ATP world rankings, has once again found himself at the heart of a controversy after very harsh statements towards padel… and doubles players.

In an interview with British media The GuardianThe 29-year-old player did not mince his words when asked about doubles tennis.

“If you can’t play singles, you play doubles. If you can’t play doubles, you play padel. It’s as simple as that.”

A statement that immediately sparked reactions in the world of padel.

 Pablo Lima responds immediately 

The former world number 1 in padel  Pablo Lima  did not let this media appearance go unchallenged.

The Brazilian responded directly on Instagram with a very clear message:

“If you don’t know what you’re talking about… it’s better not to speak.”

A response widely shared on social media, where many padel players and fans also criticized the Kazakh's remarks.

 Statements that no longer surprise us 

This is not the first time Bublik has shocked people with his public statements.

Back in 2023, he had already explained:

“I hate tennis with all my heart.”

Before adding that he played mainly for the money:

“If there was no money, I would stop immediately.”

His consistently blunt statements contribute to his image as an atypical player on the ATP circuit.

 Padel, however, continues its growth. 

These criticisms come at a time when padel is experiencing a global explosion.

The circuit  Premier Padel  regularly breaks attendance records, especially recently at  Buenos Aires P1 2026 , where near  17 000 spectators  were present during the semi-finals.

The sport is also attracting more and more former professional tennis players, drawn by its tactical and spectacular aspects.

 The tennis/padel rivalry is still going strong 

For several years, some tensions have existed between the world of tennis and that of padel.

Some tennis players still consider padel to be an “inferior” sport, while padel advocates regularly point out the tactical, physical and mental complexity of the discipline at the highest level.

And given the current growth of padel worldwide, this debate is probably far from over.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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