Alexander Bublik produced one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament during his clash with Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The mercurial Kazakh star looked in control early, edging a tight first set in a tie-break. But the match took a dramatic turn in the second set when a crucial rally swung momentum firmly in Hijikata’s favour. After dropping the second-set tie-break, Bublik’s frustration boiled over, producing a spectacular racket smash that quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the match. Hijikata kept his composure brilliantly, riding the momentum to claim the deciding set and secure an impressive victory over the unpredictable Bublik. The Australian qualifier completed the comeback 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3, advancing at Indian Wells while Bublik’s fiery reaction stole headlines. Watch the key moments from a match that had everything: drama, tension, and one unforgettable outburst. 00:00 Video starts 00:02 Alexander Bublik racket smash - quick glimpse of the meltdown moment 00:05 Bublik edges the first set in a tie-break, 7-6(3) 00:36 Second set action as Hijikata begins to fight back 01:01 The point that tips Bublik over the edge as Hijikata wins the second-set tie-break 7-6(3) 01:21 Hijikata completes the comeback, winning the third set 6-3 #AlexanderBublik #RinkyHijikata #IndianWells #BNPParibasOpen #TennisHighlights #ATPtennis #TennisDrama #ATP1000 #Tennis2026 #TennisHighlights #WinnersCircleTennis #ATP #WTA #GrandSlam #ChallengerTour #TennisNews #meltdown #tennisviral #viral #viralvideo 🎾 Welcome to Winners Circle Tennis - Your Home for Tennis News & Highlights! 👉 Subscribe now for: ATP & Challenger Tour highlights WTA & Grand Slam news Official rights-cleared packages Short-form, fast-paced videos made for real tennis fans
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Oh! No!! Not another racquet smasher!! Disgusting behavior!!
Bublik’s racket smash was one of the most dramatic moments of the match. Question for tennis fans: what consequences should players face for meltdowns like this? The usual - a fine? Point penalty? No punishment at all? Let us know what you think 👇
Bublik shows who he really is: a disrespectful idiot!
And he said he wanted to change his behaviour to set a good example for his son 😅
so happy Bublik lost. He is a br*t on the court. Will never forget how he walked off the court mid match in Monte Carlo. how rude towards his opponent
I think most pros break rackets now and then.
Medvedev, Rublev, Andreeva now Bublik ouffff this people need 911 help
The display of racquet smashing is deeply disappointing and unacceptable. As prominent figures in the sport, they carry a responsibility to model composure and sportsmanship — bad ambassadors for the sport - particularly for young fans who look up to them...no place in tennis. Same with M Andreeva - inexcusable!.
Tennis really make people go to their limits, phisically and mentally. I am sad for him, the best ones have more control of themselves.
The tennis racket companies love these kind of players 💲💲💲💲
1:14 please somebody make this a gif.
I'd like to see them instead give away the racquet to some random kid in the crowd
Absolute cheats he is always messing around in matches to benefit the bookies
Nothing should be done unless his opponent is affected negatively eg sworn at, verbally abused,or physical intimidation..Then whole game lost and a second breach means expulsion from the tournament
Bublik,fatti curare che meglio,e deplorevole il tuo comportamento,dovresti pagare una penale di sospensione di almeno due mesi,questo andrebbe fatto a tennisti che hanno questo comportamento deplorevole.
It's interesting Bublik can do all stupid stuff like this and people will still defend him, yet they never do this with other players.
He is a sore loser with a temper tantrum!