Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal slammed as ‘embarrassments’ in tennis rival’s scathing rant - The Mirror

Tennis star Alexander Bublik has taken Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal to task with a series of brutal comments for the way they handled their retirements

Andy Murray has been labelled an "embarrassment" by outspoken tennis star Alexander Bublik.

The Kazakhstani player didn't mince his words when discussing the three-time Grand Slam champion, suggesting that Murray's decision to retire from the sport had turned into a "circus". Bublik is known for his controversial opinions and frequently makes headlines with his unconventional views.

However, his latest comments may have crossed a line as he also criticised how Rafael Nadal handled his retirement. Bublik expressed his disappointment at how both legends continued to play on despite their injuries, bluntly referring to them as "a bald man and an old man".

Murray, 37, ended his 20-year career in August 2024 after a commendable run to the doubles quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, Nadal, 38, retired in November of the same year following a speech at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.

A video montage of his career highlights was shown, and Nadal received personal messages from several top players. However, Bublik appeared indifferent to each player's grand farewell, and during an interview with Russian media Match TV, he also criticised Murray's recent decision to coach Novak Djokovic, describing it as a way of clinging to the past.

"We want to retire in the best possible way. It's clear that I'm not Rafa Nadal, and my legacy will be much smaller if you can call it that, but he is not what he was and will never be again," Bublik said.

"What happened with Nadal and Andy Murray in their retirements was a circus. I can't call it anything else. We used to watch them with our mouths open in the locker room, but then you see a bald man and an old man. For me, it was an embarrassment, a circus. I think that's the most correct way to put it."

Bublik was typically nonchalant in reference to the Scot's partnership with his once formidable adversary Djokovic. "It's an attempt to prolong something that is no longer there, some echoes of the past," he added.

"I think it's a problem and I hope not to live the same situation when the day of retirement comes. Maybe at 36 I'll go to the Challenger in Bangkok, but I still hope to go out with a clear conscience."

Bublik, who has only ever made it to the fourth round at one Grand Slam, has faced off against Murray five times. The two-time Wimbledon champion emerged victorious in three of those matches, as per the Daily Record.

However, this isn't the first time the Russian-born star has found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Australian tennis ace Nick Kyrgios was compelled to reprimand Bublik for using offensive language towards disabled people at the US Open in 2023.

Bublik is now gearing up for his season debut at the Adelaide International, which kicks off today (Tuesday, January 7), marking his sole warm-up event before the Australian Open. Meanwhile, while Murray's collaboration with Djokovic has turned heads, the Scottish icon's insight could be pivotal as the Serb seeks to clinch an unprecedented 25th men's Grand Slam title down under.

On adding Murray to his coaching team, Djokovic said: "I love talking to him about the nuances, the details, how I can improve my game, how I can gain an inch, court positioning more comparing to my opponent, and every bit of percentage counts at the highest level."