By Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
When you watch Alexander Bublik play a tennis match, there’s a good chance you are going to see an underarm serve or two… or three.
Which is actually what happened in his first round match at the 2024 U.S. Open against Jerry Shang of China. But you had to wait a little while
It wasn’t until the fourth set, with Bublik serving at 0-5, 40-0, when Bublik first tried to hit an underarm serve. The attempt on a first serve, however, was stopped by the net.
His second underarm attempt was made at perhaps the most critical point in Bublik’s 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Shang. Facing break point at 3-3 in the fifth set, Bublik hit an underarm serve on his SECOND serve. Shang was able to get to the serve, and after a few exchanges, won the point to secure the vital service break that led him to victory. Shang held serve for a 5-3 fifth-set lead the next game and in Bublik’s last service game, he hit one more underarm serve when serving at 5-3 , 40-0, hitting an ace.
“I think some people say the underarm serve is disrespectful, but I don’t know about those things. It’s just like a drop shot,” said Shang after the win when asked about Bublik’s underarm serves.
Shang expanded on his thoughts on underarm serves saying that not only is it a legitimate strategy, but also good from an entertainment point of view.
“In tennis we need some fun,” he said. “And you see basketball people dunking and also in soccer or American football, there’s always entertainment. So I think having Alex on tour and also some other players that does these things is super positive. Whenever he hits a winner, it’s not nice. It’s a bit annoying. It’s like he caught you off guard. But again, Alex is an amazing person. Always having fun sharing the court with him.”
Shang also recalled that when the two played in Indian Wells earlier in 2024, Shang returned the favor to Bublik.
“I did one to him just to joke around, and he was laughing after,” he said. “So we always have a good time on the court.
