Dominic Thiem responds to Alexander Bublik's 'disabled' comment; tennis fans react | US Open 2023

Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, has responded to Alexander Bublik's 'disabled' comment during their opening round clash at the Flushing Meadows.

The 29-year-old prevailed over Bublik in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to register his first Grand Slam win since Australian Open 2021.

Comments made by Bublik during the second set have overshadowed Thiem's flawless victory.

Thiem had suffered a major wrist injury in 2021 which had sidelined him and also marred his form in the past two years.

According to videos doing the rounds on social media, Bublik is allegedly heard saying in Russian, 'I'm sick of getting all these disabled people back in their career.'

Responding to the comment, the Austrian stated, 'I don’t know if the translation is right, you know. If it is, then it’s a tough saying. Something you shouldn’t say in general just out of respect. But maybe he didn’t mean it that way or whatever. But what can I say about it.'

Meanwhile, tennis fans have not taken Bublik's comments lightly.

Under the video of the alleged statement, one has written, 'I speak the language (unfortunately). The translation is absolutely correct. I think it's even softer than the original words.'

And one fan wrote, 'Apart from this being incredibly offensive, perhaps he should simply start playing better tennis so that he doesn’t lose so easily? Just a thought!'

Fans also hailed Thiem's response.

One called him a pure soul and wrote, 'Wanting to give Bublik the benefit of the doubt. He doesn't deserve it, Dominic.'

Others chimed in saying that if they were in Thiem's place they would have been really petty about the entire ordeal.

But a few have come out in Bublik's defense stating that if people know the way the Kazakh player speaks, they will understand that his comment was sarcastic.

The 26-year-old's comment seemingly references his previous clashes in 2023 to veteran players like Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka, both of whom returned from injuries to defeat him.