Risky business or lethal weapon? Drop shot in focus after Bublik barrage

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 2, 2025 Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik celebrates winning his fourth round match against Britain's Jack Draper REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo

UPDATED Jun 04, 2025, 12:00 AM

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PARIS - Hit with lots of backslice and a soft touch, the drop shot can be a well-masked weapon in tennis but Alexander Bublik's staggering 37 attempts in Monday's French Open fourth round win over Jack Draper brought the shot sharply into focus.

In today's power game where players -- women and men -- thump the ball from baseline to baseline at a speed of more than 120 kmh, applying the shot can be extremely risky.

When it does work it gets the crowd going and can crush an opponent's spirit.

But Kazakh Bublik, among the most naturally gifted players of his generation, used it to maximum effect against his British opponent, leaving even women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka impressed.

"That was crazy. I was watching that match," Sabalenka said on Tuesday after her own march into the semi-finals with a straight sets victory over China's Zheng Qinwen.

Sabalenka and Zheng hit a total of 20 drop shots combined, compared to Bublik's 37.

"I have to say that the drop shot is quite a risky shot, and you really have to have good hands and good understanding of the court to be able to make it," Sabalenka said.

"Not every girl is that fearless like Bublik. I watched that match yesterday, and sometimes it was just, like, wow, it just seems like it was his day."

Bublik's drop shot frequency also left his opponent stunned.

"He was hitting incredible drop shots all around. I don't play many matches where I feel like it's almost out of my control what's going on, and he made that happen," Draper said.

Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek hit just three in her own quarter-final win over Ukraine's Elina Svitolina on Tuesday.

"He (Bublik) would just go for the drop shot from the serves, from returns. It doesn't make sense, you know?," Sabalenka said.

"If you feel that this is the day when things are going to work out for you, you definitely have to go for it because it's a good shot, especially on the clay court," she added.

"But it's a risky shot. Not everyone has that good hands as Bublik had yesterday." REUTERS

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