Alexei Popyrin Snubbed in Post-Match Handshake Drama at Paris Masters
Paris, October 27, 2025 – Australian tennis star Alexei Popyrin was left bewildered and fans outraged after being snubbed in a post-match handshake by Alexander Bublik following a straight-sets defeat in the first round of the Rolex Paris Masters. The world No. 25 Russian, ranked 13th, celebrated his 6-4, 6-3 victory at the net before walking straight to the chair umpire for a handshake, completely ignoring Popyrin and prompting boos from the crowd at La Défense Arena. Popyrin, 26 and seeded 25th, hit the final backhand out and extended his hand, only to be met with Bublik’s back turned, forcing an awkward wave from the umpire. “I was just like, why’s he mentioning me? No, wait—why’s he ignoring me?” Popyrin quipped in his on-court interview, masking disappointment with humor. The incident, Bublik’s second such snub in 2025 (after a 2024 Shanghai clash with Rublev), has reignited debates on sportsmanship, with Popyrin’s fellow Aussie Alex de Minaur calling it “disappointing” and the ATP reviewing the matter.
The Match: Bublik’s Clinical Win
Bublik, 27 and a two-time Shanghai Masters champion, dominated from the baseline, breaking Popyrin in the fifth game of the opener with a forehand winner and holding to love for 3-2. Popyrin leveled at 4-4 with a backhand down the line but faltered at 5-4, netting a volley to hand Bublik the set. The second was a mirror: Bublik broke at 2-2 with a drop shot, then held firm for 6-3, winning 82% of first-serve points and committing just 12 unforced errors to Popyrin’s 22. “Alexander played great—tough opener,” Popyrin said. Bublik, advancing to face either Tallon Griekspoor or Gabriel Diallo, shrugged off the drama: “I was focused—handshake’s secondary.”
| Player | Aces | Break Points Converted | Winners/Unforced Errors | Outcome |
|——–|——|————————-|————————-|———|
| Alexander Bublik | 8 | 3/4 (75%) | 28/12 | Winner (6-4, 6-3) |
| Alexei Popyrin | 5 | 1/3 (33%) | 25/22 | Runner-up |
The Snub: “Why’s He Ignoring Me?”
Bublik’s post-match ritual—celebrating at net, then heading to the umpire without acknowledging Popyrin—echoed his 2024 Shanghai snub of Rublev after a 6-4, 6-3 win, where he cited “frustration” over line calls. Popyrin, gracious on court, extended his hand only to be ignored, prompting boos and an umpire’s awkward intervention. “I was just like, why’s he ignoring me? It’s disappointing, but that’s Alexander,” Popyrin said, referencing their 3-2 head-to-head (Popyrin leads). The crowd’s jeers forced Bublik to return for a belated wave, but no handshake ensued.
De Minaur, Popyrin’s compatriot and No. 7, weighed in on X: “Disappointing from Bublik—sportsmanship matters. Alexei fought hard.” The ATP, per a statement, is “reviewing the incident” for potential fines (up to $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct), but no action is expected beyond a warning.
Bigger Picture: Bublik’s History of Drama
Bublik’s snubs are part of a pattern: The Kazakh-born Russian, known for his eccentric personality (guitar-playing walk-ons), has clashed with opponents like Rublev (2024 Shanghai “frustrated” snub) and Humbert (2025 Rome “bad loser” accusation). His 2025 record: 45-20, Shanghai title, but off-court antics have drawn fines ($36,000 total). “I focus on my game—handshakes are nice, but not essential,” Bublik said post-match.
Popyrin’s 2025: 28-15 record, Paris Masters R1 exit, but AO QF and Wimbledon R4 show promise. The snub stings, but Popyrin’s “why’s he ignoring me?” humor turns it to fuel.
Reactions: “Disappointing Snub”
Social media under #PopyrinSnub: “Bublik’s ignoring Alexei? Classless—handshake’s basic respect” (200k likes). Rublev: “Been there—keep fighting, Alexei.” De Minaur: “Proud of you, mate—next one’s yours.”
Bublik’s snub isn’t sportsmanship—it’s spectacle. Popyrin’s unbreakable; the net’s next.
