Follow us on Google Discover Corentin Moutet and Alexander Bublik do not appear to be the best of friends after their match at the Paris Masters.
Moutet and Bublik had an altercation at an ATP Challenger earlier this year, but they had not played one another since.
Both players have made significant improvements since then, with Moutet beating Daniil Medvedev in Vienna last week to reach a new career-high ranking.
After winning their respective first round matches, Moutet and Bublik were set to reignite their rivalry and the drama delivered once again.
Photo by BENJAMIN VODANT/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty ImagesCorentin Moutet posts on social media for the first time since his match with Alexander Bublik
Once again, it was Bublik who beat Moutet, with a 6-3 7-5 victory to reach the third round of the Paris Masters for just the second time.
The drama really began to unfold after the match, as after the handshake Bublik was handed a pen to sign on the camera lens, as many players do after winning on big courts.
Many players often thank the crowd when they do this, but instead Bublik wrote, ‘On the way home,’ seemingly referencing comments Moutet made before the match.
This continued in the post-match interview, where Bublik said, “Well obviously he spoke too much before the match. I just have to punish him. I have no other option.”
He added, “Well he said he will do everything to send me home, so it’s nice that he lives in Paris and it’s not too far with a taxi.”
Moutet was asked about these comments in his post-match press conference and revealed that he actually now lives in Dubai, but he did have many kind words to say about Bublik.
“No. Today I tried to focus on myself. I don’t think it was personal,” said Moutet. “He likes to make fun of players. I don’t know what you expect from me. Some people talk; some people don’t. I guess he’s part of the first category. He loves to verbally clash with people.
“I don’t like that kind of thing. When things go beyond words, I know how people behave and I know what kind of character he is apart from the character that is shown in the media. So it’s no use talking behind the mic. He’s good enough to do that by himself. I’ll let him do it.”
Moutet has since posted on social media after his exit from the Paris Masters, but he did not comment on anything Bublik had to say.
The world number 32 wrote in a translated Instagram story from French to English, Thank you all. Sorry, I would have liked to offer you the victory. I’ll come back stronger. Love Paris.”
What Corentin Moutet was ‘really disappointed’ about after his defeat to Alexander Bublik
It was not only Bublik’s words that Moutet was not keen on, as he also expressed his disappointment in something he was unable to do during the match.
Moutet admitted that he was ‘really disappointed’ with the way he played certain points during the match and claimed he made some tactical errors.
“Yes, it was a great pleasure during this tournament,” said Moutet. “I wanted to go further obviously. I had an opportunity, and I’m really disappointed in the way I managed the set point.
“But also at the end I wasn’t doing well on my service, and I made a few wrong tactical choices, and now it’s a bit of a disappointment. But when you miss some occasions like that, there is no forgiving for bad tactical choices.
“I’m disappointed for me, for my team, for the public who were behind me all the way. They supported me in the most difficult times, and I thank them and I will try to give them more next time.”
Moutet now has one tournament left in the 2025 season, as he looks to continue rising up the rankings.
The final tournament of Moutet’s season will come at the ATP 250 event in Metz, where Bublik is also entered into.