Alexander Bublik explains why he now thinks the Laver Cup is ‘magical’ despite criticising it in the past

Alexander Bublik has completely changed his tune on the Laver Cup after featuring at the event for the first time.

Bublik made his Laver Cup debut last month, representing Andre Agassi-led Team World a year after criticising the event. In a 2025 interview with Bounces, the 29-year-old Kazakh star said: “Exhibition? Of course the Laver Cup is one. Does it give ranking points? No. So it’s an exhibition.

“I guess I would have to be South American or (North) American to play it. I think the captains always choose those who speak English. They think the ‘World’ is America.”

Despite Bublik’s Team World falling to Team Europe at the Laver Cup, he spoke glowingly about Federer’s brainchild after competing in the event.

“Oh, it was an absolutely unique experience,” Bublik told Championat. “A truly magical tournament, I would say, because it combines a sporting dimension whose origins are somewhat mysterious: from morning till night, we discuss how to beat someone in an exhibition match where there are no points to be won.

“We simply play; we just want to beat each other, for one reason or another. The two teams pass each other without speaking. And there’s a very sporting atmosphere there. And, of course, participating was a unique experience for me: talking with Agassi and Rafter, being part of the team.

“Taylor Fritz was coaching me when I played. It all seems unreal, almost impossible, because they were all our opponents. But we talked, and then two weeks later, I played against Brandon Nakashima in a tournament, and we laughed because I said to him, ‘But we already know everything about each other, we’ve already told each other everything.’

“It was an absolutely magnificent tournament. Incredible emotions, and unfortunately, we didn’t manage to win the cup this time. But we hope it will return to Team World next year.” Team Europe won this year’s Laver Cup 13-5, with Alexander Zverev securing the decisive victory on day three.

Bublik played three matches for Team World in his Laver Cup debut, with the first two coming on day one of the event. His maiden clash was against Team Europe’s young star, Rafael Jodar, who recently made the final of the Shanghai Masters.

Jodar came out on top fairly comfortably in that match, winning in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Bublik was then back in action straight away, competing in doubles alongside Taylor Fritz against the duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Jakub Mensik. Bublik and Fritz were beaten 6-4, 6-4.

Bublik suffered his third straight Laver Cup loss on day two, losing a doubles match with partner Brandon Nakashima against Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud.