One week before Wimbledon gets underway, some of the biggest names on the ATP Tour finish up their preparations in Eastbourne.
Following a week of ATP 500 action in Halle and at Queen’s, four top 20 players headed to Eastbourne for the final Wimbledon warm-up event.
World number five and defending champion Taylor Fritz is the heavy favorite, as he looks to win a record-extending fourth Eastbourne International title in 2025.
His fellow American Tommy Paul may well have something to say about that, as he continues his search for a first title of the season.
The likes of Jakub Mensik, Ugo Humbert, and Flavio Cobolli could also be dangerous in the south-east of England, competing in the 28-man field.
Fans in attendance will look forward to seeing those players in action, although they won’t be able to watch a star many consider to be a Wimbledon ‘dark horse’ as he withdrew just hours before his first-round match.
Wimbledon ‘dark horse’ Alexander Bublik withdraws from Eastbourne International
Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik was scheduled to play Francisco Comesana in his Eastbourne opener, before he withdrew from the tournament.
Perhaps the withdrawal shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, considering Bublik’s win at the Halle Open last week.
Bublik enjoyed a dream week in Halle, taking home his second title in three years at the event, securing a win over the world number one along the way.
- 2025 Halle Open F – Alexander Bublik beat Daniil Medvedev, 6-3, 7-6
- 2025 Halle Open SF – Alexander Bublik beat Karen Khachanov, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4
- 2025 Halle Open QF – Alexander Bublik beat Tomas Machac, 7-6, 6-3
- 2025 Halle Open 2R- Alexander Bublik beat Jannik Sinner, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
- 2025 Halle Open 1R – Alexander Bublik beat Alexandre Muller, 6-4, 6-4
Picking up one of the three big grass-court titles, Bublik quickly assumed the role of Wimbledon dark horse.
Many are expecting the world number 30 to make a splash at the All England Club next month and make a deep run.
The 27-year-old has already enjoyed Major success in 2025, as Bublik reached the last eight at Roland Garros, becoming the first Kazakh male to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Bublik’s win over number four seed Jack Draper was a real highlight in Paris, as he gave fans a glimpse of what he can achieve when fully focused.
Only time will tell if Bublik can produce another impressive performance when he heads over to London for Wimbledon.
Alexander Bublik’s Wimbledon record
Bublik will be confident of putting on a show at the All England Club, as he returns to his most-successful Grand Slam event.
Winning 58% of his matches at SW19, Bublik has performed better at Wimbledon than at the Australian Open, the French Open, or the US Open.
| Tournament | Best performance | Latest performance | Win/Loss record | Win % |
| Australian Open | Lost in 2R | 2025 – Lost in 1R | 3-7 | 30% |
| French Open | Lost in QF | 2025 – Lost in QF | 8-7 | 53% |
| Wimbledon | Lost in 4R | 2024 – Lost in 3R | 9-6 | 58% |
| US Open | Lost in 3R | 2024 – Lost in 1R | 4-6 | 40% |
Bublik enjoyed his career-best Wimbledon result in 2023, when he lost out in a deciding set to Andrey Rublev in the fourth round.
Narrowly missing out on a place in the quarterfinals on that occasion, Bublik will no doubt hope to right the wrongs of 2023 and go one better this time around.
He will have a solid chance of doing so, entering the tournament with a seed next to his name, something that would have seemed impossible just a few short months ago.
Becoming seeded, Bublik will avoid the big names in the early rounds, a development that will likely satisfy both parties.
It remains to be seen how Bublik will perform, but it will certainly be worth tuning in for when Wimbledon begins on Monday, June 30.
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