Singles Players Mock Mixed Doubles Teams

Alexander Bublik just delivered one of the most savage takedowns of doubles players ever recorded. The tennis world is buzzing after he claimed that singles stars regularly mock their doubles counterparts.

This whole debate started heating up during the 2025 US Open. Tournament organizers completely changed their mixed doubles format, cramming it into just two days during fan week on August 19th and 20th.

The move was designed to get big-name singles players involved.

It worked pretty well, even though some major stars like Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka pulled out. Coco Gauff didn’t play either. But plenty of other high-profile players jumped in, and fans loved it.

Here’s the thing though – the only team with two regular doubles players actually won the whole thing.

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori took home the title. Errani’s no joke in doubles – she won Olympic gold with Jasmine Paolini last year and consistently plays at the highest level.

Doubles Players Fight Back

After Errani and Vavassori’s victory, doubles specialists felt vindicated. Finally, they thought, proof that what they do isn’t easy and deserves real respect.

That’s when Bublik decided to absolutely destroy their feelings.

In a jaw-dropping interview with journalist Ben Rothenberg, the Kazakhstani player didn’t just disagree – he went nuclear on doubles specialists.

"The [doubles] guys that are sitting there and pretend like they’re tennis players? No. That’s why a lot of singles players are mocking them and laugh, because this is just a joke."

Yikes.

Even for Bublik, who’s never been shy about speaking his mind, these comments are pretty brutal. He’s basically saying doubles players aren’t even real tennis players.

The Partnership That Went Wrong

Bublik’s harsh words might have something to do with his recent experience at the US Open. He teamed up with Marcelo Demoliner, a doubles specialist, and things went terribly.

They got absolutely crushed 3-6, 2-6 by Fernando Romboli and John-Patrick Smith. It wasn’t even close.

After that embarrassing loss, Demoliner didn’t hold back. He released a statement that was basically a public roasting of Bublik’s attitude and commitment.

"The life of a tennis player has this big challenge of trying to find a partner. Sometimes, because of the rankings, we have to partner up with a singles player, and that’s a double-edged sword."

Demoliner was clearly frustrated. He talked about how the loss hurt not just because they lost, but because of what he saw as Bublik’s lack of effort.

"Unfortunately, it wasn’t the way I believe to be the right one, the way I always try to deliver. Sometimes, it can be great to play with a singles player, no doubt about it, but in other times it’s tough."

The Brazilian doubles specialist really let him have it. He said his career was on the line and that there was "a lack of empathy" from his partner.

"It’s my career on the line, and there’s a lack of empathy, and today is one of those days I would like to forget. If I knew it would have been like this, maybe I wouldn’t have even entered the court."

That’s about as diplomatically as you can say "my partner didn’t give a damn."

What This Means Going Forward

After Bublik’s comments to Rothenberg, it’s pretty safe to say he won’t be partnering with doubles specialists anytime soon. His brutal honesty might have burned some bridges in the process.

The whole situation highlights a real tension in professional tennis. Singles players sometimes treat doubles as an afterthought, while doubles specialists see it as their livelihood and craft.

With Bublik now openly admitting that singles players mock doubles players behind their backs, this divide isn’t going away anytime soon.