BUBLIK WINS SECOND HALLE TITLE AFTER EMOTIONAL ADMISSION; 2023 WIMBLEDON CHAMP DEFIES ODDS

A visibly emotional Alexander Bublik tries to soak in his latest achievement. (Getty/Thomas F. Starke)

An emotional Alexander Bublik couldn't hold back the tears following his second Halle Open title, admitting that he had contemplated retirement.

It's been nothing short of a whirlwind past few weeks for the 28-year-old since fighting back from two sets down against Alex de Minaur at the second-round of Roland-Garros, having reached the quarter-finals in Paris and knocking out world No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner from a set down on his way to the Halle crown.

The unpredictable yet talented Kazakh held serve for the entirety of the final against Daniil Medvedev to record a 6-3, 7-6(4) victory.

By entering the code TFS2025, you will receive 15% off the RRP on all non-sale items when you shop online at www.racquetworld.com.au

Coming into the decider, Bublik had failed to get the better of Medvedev in their past six meetings.

The duo shared a humorous moment during the trophy presentation when both players tried to outdo each other with the champagne celebrations.

"It's tough to speak," Bublik, who previously won the Halle title in 2023, told Tennis TV post-match.

"I had such tough months since last Wimbledon until probably this summer. I was close to calling it quits after Wimbledon because I was not enjoying it anymore.

"I promised my coach that I'd stay there, that I will keep practising, after Wimbledon I will make a decision if I need to take a couple of months off before trying to come back.

"Well, [now] this is happening. Quarters French, winner here – I have no words."

Bublik has advanced 15 places in the live rankings to No.30, where he will guarantee himself a top-32 seed at the upcoming Wimbledon Championships.

Over at the Queen's 500 event, Carlos Alcaraz made a statement of intent after downing Jiří Lehečka 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2.

The Spaniard won his first Queen's title two years ago when he took down Alex de Minaur.

"I'm going to say it's really complicated, the switch from clay to grass in just [a] few days, because that's the time I had before the tournament began, just two days of practicing," the dual Wimbledon champion explained.

"So I came here with no expectations at all. I came here with a goal to play two or three matches, try to feel great on grass and give myself the feedback of what I have to improve."

In Berlin, 2023 Wimbledon winner Markéta Vondroušová defeated surprise finalist Wang Xinyu 7-6(10), 4-6, 6-2 in another feel good tennis story.

The last time she qualified for a final was when she won her one and only Grand Slam title at the All England Club.

In August last year, Vondroušová had no other option but to undergo shoulder surgery, and has since found it challenging to return to the WTA Tour consistently.

"We were all working really hard to get me back, and I felt like we came here to try to win the first match, and now this is happening," the Czech star said. "So I'm just very grateful to be standing here and very grateful for you guys."

Elsewhere at the Nottingham Open final, McCartney Kessler will reach a career-high No.32 when the latest WTA rankings release, after she toppled Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska in straight sets.

AATC – Australasian Academy of Tennis Coaches, Providing Quality Coach Education Globally. Led by Industry Leaders and Tennis Business Owners who understand your journey. 🌏 Learn Locally, Coach Globally 🚀 Start Your Coaching Journey Today. Enrol Now at www.aatc.tennis