Andreeva and Bublik Crash Out at Indian Wells

Two top players lose their cool in the desert heat at the 'Fifth Grand Slam' tournament

Mar. 10, 2026 at 2:34pm

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Tennis stars Mirra Andreeva and Alexander Bublik suffered dramatic losses at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, with both players losing their composure on the court. Andreeva shouted "f--- you all" after her third-round defeat, while Bublik went viral for hitting a winner with the racket handle and then violently smashing his racket after his own three-set loss.

Why it matters

Indian Wells is considered one of the premier events on the tennis calendar, often referred to as the "Fifth Grand Slam." The high-stakes matches and intense conditions can take a toll on even the best players, as seen in the emotional outbursts from Andreeva and Bublik, which highlight the immense pressure and scrutiny top athletes face.

The details

Andreeva, the defending champion, lost a three-set thriller to Kateřina Siniaková, shouting at the crowd or her box as she left the court. Bublik, the 10th seed, was upset by qualifier Rinky Hijikata in another three-set match, going viral for some unorthodox shots and then smashing his racket in frustration after the loss.

  • The 2026 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells runs through March 15.
  • Andreeva and Bublik's losses came on Monday, March 10.

The players

Mirra Andreeva

An 18-year-old Russian tennis player who won her first WTA 1000 Masters title at Indian Wells last year, but was unable to defend her crown after losing in the third round.

Alexander Bublik

A 10th-seeded Russian tennis player who had a breakout season in 2025 but was upset in the third round at Indian Wells by qualifier Rinky Hijikata.

Kateřina Siniaková

A Czech tennis player who defeated Andreeva in a three-set thriller to advance to the Round of 16 at Indian Wells.

Rinky Hijikata

An Australian qualifier who pulled off the upset over 10th-seeded Bublik in three sets at Indian Wells.

Cam Norrie

A 27th-seeded British tennis player who defeated 6th-seeded Alex de Minaur and will face Hijikata in the next round.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not really proud of how I managed it. I'm not really proud of how I handled it in the end.”

— Mirra Andreeva

“Those are the things that really need to work on soon. I don't know. Not in the future, but whenever I get the chance.”

— Mirra Andreeva

What’s next

Andreeva will have a week off before beginning her campaign at the Miami Open, while Bublik will also compete at the Miami Open after his early exit at Indian Wells.

The takeaway

The intense conditions and high-stakes matches at the 'Fifth Grand Slam' tournament in Indian Wells can push even the best tennis players to their emotional limits, as seen in the dramatic losses and outbursts from Andreeva and Bublik. This highlights the immense pressure and scrutiny top athletes face, and the need for them to develop strong mental fortitude to handle the challenges of elite-level competition.