Andrey Rublev produced one of the greatest shots seen in recent times at Wimbledon on Sunday, and social media cannot seem to get enough of it.
A thrilling Round of 16 clash in the men’s singles tournament between Rublev and Alexander Bublik saw what many are describing as one of the finest shots seen at the All England Club in years.
Rublev, one of several Russian and Belarusian players returning to the championship after being banned from the competition in 2022, narrowly won the match which went the full five sets to earn a place in the quarter-finals.
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But it was his astonishing shot, to claim a third match point in the final set, that will live long in the memory.
After a frenetic, energy-sapping rally, Bublik, the No. 23 seed from Kazakhstan, hit what appeared to be, both to the crowd and commentary team, an unreturnable shot down the line.
Rublev, however, flung his entire body to the ground to send the ball back over the net and earn the point, much to the astonishment of Bublik himself who stood motionless in disbelief.
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“He can’t believe it,” exclaimed the BBC commentator. “And we can’t either.
“Bublik’s wondering how it’s possible.”
While former tennis star John McEnroe, on co-commentary, simply added: “That is one of the great shots we’ve seen here in years.”
A similar feeling was felt by tennis fans online who quickly flocked to social media to express their amazement at what they had just seen.
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“An incredible get, defied physics there,” one Twitter user wrote.
“Alexander Bublik will still be wondering how Andrey Rublev returned the ball on the flight home,” another said.
A third posted: “Rublev diving like Tom cruise on a mission impossible movie is just unreal tennis. What a point!!!!”
While a fourth added: “Shot of the tournament so far!”
Topics: Wimbledon, Fan Reactions
George Nash