Alexander Bublik is never one to mince his words about other players on the Tour and he is often considered one of the more outspoken players in tennis.

Bublik has opted not to play the Canadian Open once again this year, instead opting to spend time with his son during his birthday.

That has not stopped the world No 11 from staying in the headlines, however, while at a promotional event in Russia during his time away from tennis.

Speaking at a fan event in St Petersburg, Bublik was asked who his ideal opponent would be if he reached the final of the US Open later this year.

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“So they put me in a Grand Slam final. Not bad. If I reach the US Open final, I don’t care who my opponent is. But if I have to choose, let it be Sasha Zverev. That way I’ll have more chances.”

This is not the first time Bublik and Zverev have crossed each other’s paths controversially, as the Kazakhstani star revealed they had a fight when they were youngesters.

Asked about their rumoured fight when they were juniors, Bublik said: “Yes. I wouldn’t tell the story. It’s in the past. Yes, we had a fight, it was there, but I don’t want to go into details We are both here, so everybody is safe. I don’t think we should talk about the past, specially in this kind of case.”

Zverev and Bublik have been warriors against each other on the ATP Tour, although the Kazakhstani star has surprisingly got the better of the Grand Slam champion.

In their four matches together on the ATP Tour, Bublik has beaten Zverev three times.

Zverev’s only victory against Bublik came at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2023, when the German star knocked Bublik out of the round of 64 in three sets.

Bublik has knocked Zverev out of the Halle Open, Montpellier, and Rotterdam, although the pair have not played competitvely since the 2023 season.

With Bublik’s latest comments about Zverev, there next match should have plenty of eyes on it, and it could come sooner than many realise.

Both men have signed up to the Laver Cup later this year, so their first meeting since 2023 could come at The O2 Arena in London, between the 25th and 27th September.

Bublik will represent Andre Agassi’s Team World while Zverev will be playing for Yannick Noah’s Team Europe.

A meeting at the US Open would perhaps be more interesting, however, after Bublik’s latest comments suggested it would be quite simple to topple the current world No 2 and Roland Garros champion.