Something about Halle brings out peak Alexander Bublik. The Kazakh maverick, known for his wild flair and unpredictable shot selection, stormed back into the spotlight by winning the biggest title of his career for the second time. Two years after lifting the Halle Open trophy in 2023, Bublik has done it again in 2025, conquering the German grass once more and reminding the world why he should never be counted out. Not long ago, though, it looked like he might disappear altogether.

In March, Bublik was lingering outside the Top 80, weighed down by a string of first-round exits, lackluster effort, and what he called an empty fuel tank. His trademark showmanship was missing, and so was the spark that made him one of the ATP Tour’s most entertaining players. But then came a surprising resurgence. The Kazakh tennis star started small by winning a Challenger title at the Piemonte Open in May. Later, he surprised everyone with a quarterfinal run at Roland Garros, marking the first time he reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal.

On Sunday, the 28-year-old brought his full box of tricks to the Halle final and put on a grass-court masterclass to take down Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(4). The win wasn’t just stunning for its style—it was also his first in seven attempts against the Russian. Bublik fired bombs on serve, ripped the cover off his groundstrokes, and sprinkled in his signature drop shots like confetti.

The win marks Alexander Bublik’s fifth career title and perhaps the most emotional one yet. “It’s tough to speak. I had such tough months since last Wimbledon to probably this summer,” Bublik said after the win. “I was close to calling it quits after Wimbledon because I was not enjoying it anymore.”

He continued, “I promised my coach that I would stay there and keep practicing, and after Wimbledon we will make a decision about whether I need to take a couple of months off before trying to come back. Now this is happening. I don’t know. Quarters at the French. Winner here. I have no words.”

Daniil Medvedev, who took out home favorite Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, was contesting his first final since falling to Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells back in March 2024.

Meanwhile, Bublik pulled off a major upset in the second round by toppling World No. 1 and defending Halle champion Jannik Sinner. With that win and the title run, he joins elite company, becoming just the third player in the tournament’s 32-year history to win the crown more than once, after three-time champ Yevgeny Kafelnikov and 10-time Halle king Roger Federer.

But history aside, there’s a more immediate reward on the horizon: a much-needed rankings leap right before Wimbledon.

Alexander Bublik to be seeded at Wimbledon 

Alexander Bublik’s victory propels him up 15 spots to World No. 30 in the ATP Rankings. And with both Casper Ruud and Arthur Fils ranked above him and pulling out of Wimbledon, the Kazakh is poised to slot in as the 28th seed at the All England Club when main draw action kicks off on June 30th.

As for Daniil Medvedev, the former World No. 1 is now riding a brutal six-final losing streak. His last title dates all the way back to Rome 2023. Despite this runner-up finish, the Russian will at least return to the top 10 on Monday, climbing back to World No. 9 after briefly dropping to 11.

Still, Medvedev isn’t underestimating Bublik’s threat level heading into the grass-court Slam. ‘I hope you are in Carlos or Jannik’s draw,’ he quipped with a smile after his loss.

From nearly quitting the sport to shaking up the Wimbledon seeding, Alexander Bublik is back in business. And with his grass-court magic in full swing, who’s ready to face his fearless shotmaking?