Alexander Bublik slams ATP 250 and Challenger payouts: “I don’t think we need them”

World No. 33 Alexander Bublik, true to his outspoken style, voiced dissatisfaction with the prize money at ATP 250 tournaments, stating that the costs of participating often outweigh the earnings. The Kazakh also added that he doesn’t believe ATP 250 or Challenger tournaments are necessary.

The former World No. 17 has won four ATP titles so far, three of them at ATP 250 events. With a career record of 152-150, Bublik has earned over $7.6 million in prize money. In 2024 alone, he made over $1.5 million; however, this figure doesn’t account for taxes or associated costs, including travel, accommodation, and team expenses, such as a coach and physiotherapist.

“I don’t think we should be playing ATP 250 tournaments where the winner is paid $50,000," he said to the Russian portal Championat. "This money does nothing for us because we spend more on the team and flights. I don’t think we need 250 tournaments or Challengers. This is my message to the guys.”

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“After five or seven years on tour, they stop making sense. Unless, of course, you want to earn additional ranking points. Last year, I played ATP 250 tournaments solely for points. We need to make a living, and these tournaments don’t particularly interest the players,” said Bublik.

Nevertheless, prize money at ATP 250 tournaments is slightly higher than Bublik suggested. For instance, in 2024, Brisbane International awarded $95,340 to the champion. Similar figures were seen at Delray Beach ($100,640) and Santiago Open ($100,640). The highest-paying ATP 250 tournaments are held in China, such as this year’s Hangzhou Open, where Marin Cilic claimed $152,240 for winning the title.

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