Alexander Bublik Calls Out Laver Cup Team Featuring Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton Over American Bias

“But for some reason I’m now sure that ‘the World’ is everyone who speaks English,” Alexander Bublik blasted back in 2023, accusing the then-captain John McEnroe of picking exclusively from English-speaking nations for the Laver Cup. As per Bublik, since its 2017 inception, only one African player, former World No. 9 Kevin Anderson in 2018, has made the cut. For Bublik, who’s been campaigning for an invite for years, the snub stings even more this year. Despite his star power and stellar form, his dream call-up never came, only more disappointment.

His frustration stemmed from John McEnroe, whom he accused of being hilariously biased toward players from English-speaking nations, mainly the U.S., Canada, Australia, and parts of South America. However, McEnroe has stepped down as Team World captain in 2025, with Andre Agassi taking the helm. Still, despite the change, he didn’t make the cut. The final team that has been chosen for the Laver Cup includes Taylor Fritz (World No.4), Ben Shelton (No.6), Tommy Paul (No.14), and Frances Tiafoe (No.17), alongside Brazilian prodigy João Fonseca (No.44) and Cerundolo (No.19).

Frustrated over once again being snubbed from the elite group chosen to represent Team World at the Laver Cup, Alexander Bublik didn’t mince words in his conversation with journalist Ben Rothenberg. “They believe the ‘World’ is the one that has America or English language; that’s what I believe,” he declared, doubling down on his 2023 stance.

The 2025 Laver Cup is set to make its US West Coast debut at the state-of-the-art Chase Center, home to the Golden State Warriors and WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries, from September 19–21. Europe currently leads the Laver Cup series 5-2 after a thrilling victory over Team World in Berlin last year.

With two fiercely competitive lineups ready to battle and the Bay Area’s passionate fans expected to pack the arena, the 2025 edition promises to elevate this rivalry to an entirely new level. Team Europe is captained by Yannick Noah. It will also include Vice Captain Tim Henman. They bring a formidable lineup of Carlos Alcaraz (World No.2), Alexander Zverev (No.3), Holger Rune (No.11) and Casper Ruud (No.12), plus Mensik (No.16) and Cobolli (No.26).

Alexander Bublik may not have received an invitation yet, but it’s only a matter of time before he catches the team captain’s attention. Why? Because his U.S. Open performance is phenomenal.

Alexander Bublik navigates past Tommy Paul in a 2025 US Open five-setter

The Kazakh-Russian sensation has been unstoppable lately. After Marin Čilić and Tristan Schoolkate, it was Tommy Paul’s turn to succumb. Despite letting slip a lead in a tense fourth-set tie-break, the 23rd seed roared back to claim a thrilling 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1 victory in a marathon clash that stretched past 1 a.m.

When a reporter called his served to be incredible, he stated, “Yes, it is. I have no explanation, but I was playing today and I was like, ‘Eventually it’s going to happen, right?’ He had a couple of set points and then I was serving for the match. I was like, ‘Okay, let’s hope not today’. I have [my] next match against Jannik, so probably that will be the match I will drop a couple of serves. That’s tough, really tough. In five-set format I haven’t done it yet,” Bublik said. “But I’ll try to use my chances.”

With his back-to-back victory, Bublik sets the stage for a mouthwatering last-16 showdown against PIF ATP Rankings No. 1, Jannik Sinner. Will he be able to edge past the terrifying Sinner to go for the gold? To stay updated on the contest and more at the US Open, head to EssentiallySports’ live blog of the Grand Slam.