Alexander Bublik Makes a Group of Kids Play Rock-Paper-Scissors for his Jersey at 2023 Madrid Open

ParallelDesk 01:08:10 PM, 27 April 2023

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Tennis player Alexander Bublik created a fun and lighthearted moment during the 2023 Madrid Open when he arranged a game of rock-paper-scissors between a group of kids to determine who would receive his jersey. After playing one of the longest three-set matches of his career on Wednesday, April 26, the Kazakh player made his way to the front row of Court 4 to present the souvenir to a group of young fans. Bublik defeated Daniel Elahi Galan 7-6(15), 6-7(4), 6-4 in the first round of the Masters 1000 tournament. Despite committing 13 double faults, the World No. 55 also finished with 17 aces in a match that lasted for two hours and 50 minutes. He hit 38 winners and 50 unforced errors, compared to Galan's 29 winners and 48 unforced errors. After the match, Bublik didn't just hand over the jersey randomly. Instead, he made the young fans earn it by participating in a game of rock-paper-scissors. The boy who drew scissors to chop up his opponent's paper had a big smile on his face before Bublik tossed his jersey towards him. Bublik, who has won five and lost 14 matches so far this season, has faced multiple first-round exits. However, he hopes to gain momentum and win more matches in the coming games. This year, he has only achieved five wins, far fewer than the 35-plus he garnered in previous seasons. In the Madrid Open 2023, Bublik will face Holger Rune in the second round on Friday, April 28. The match will be the second meeting between the two players, with Bublik having defeated the Danish youngster 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 Moselle Open in France last September. The two players also teamed up as doubles partners at the 2022 US Open. They defeated Francis Tiafoe and Denis Kudla in the first round, but Adrian Mannarino and Quentin Halys beat them in the second. Bublik's victory over Galan sets him up for the rest of the tournament in Madrid. His playful gesture towards the young fans will undoubtedly be memorable for all who witnessed it.