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Kazakh Alexander Bublik is at the center of controversy after allegedly uttering a hideous mid-match slur that disparaged people with disabilities during the US Open.
During the second set of Bublik’s match against Austrian Dominic Thiem, which Bublik lost 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, the world number 27 reportedly said in Russian: “I’m sick of returning runs to disabled people.”
Thiem won the 2020 US Open men’s singles title and is the former world number 3, but a wrist injury derailed his career.
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The 29-year-old’s straight-sets victory over Bublik on Tuesday morning (AEST) marked his first Grand Slam victory in more than two years.
When Thiem was asked about the alleged sled at his press conference, he said he wasn’t sure if the translation was correct.
But he condemned the alleged insult when a journalist told him the translation was correct.
“It’s a harsh saying,” Thiem said.
“Something you shouldn’t say in general, out of respect.
“Maybe he didn’t mean that or whatever.
“What can I say about it?”
Noted tennis journalist José Morgado lashed out at Bublik on Twitter, accusing him of “a tremendous lack of respect.”
Nick Kyrgios also weighed in, calling the alleged insult “understated, horrible.”
Bublik fell in the first round of a Grand Slam for the third time in 2023, while also suffering his fourth consecutive loss.
Thiem will face American Ben Shelton in the second round of the US Open.
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