Alexander Bublik allowed a ball boy to take his place while falling to a heavy defeat.

Alexander Bublik handed his racket to a ball boy during a heavy defeat (Image: Tennis Channel)

Alexander Bublik allowed a ball boy to take over after struggling in a big defeat against American Aleksandar Kovacevic. The Khazakstani No. 1 handed his racket to a stunned ball boy and continued to row with the umpire.

Bublik was heading for a heavy defeat at Open Occitanie as his title defence crumbled. The 27-year-old trailed 5-1 in the second set after losing the first 6-3.

After going 15-0 down, Bublik turned to the ball boy stood behind him. He handed the confused teenager two balls from his pocket before passing over his racket.

The boy stood still for a moment, perhaps believing that Bublik was simply retiring. However, the world No. 39 gently pushed him towards the baseline and told him to play in his place.

Looking shocked, the ball boy was urged to play a rally with Kovacevic. The world No. 97 was a good sport and took part.

Bublik was then seen complaining to the umpire.

“This is what it’s come to,” a Tennis Channel commenter joked. “Nothing else has thrown [off] Aleksandar Kovacevic, what about a change in opponent?”

After a rally between the ball boy and Kovacevic, Bublik returned to see through the remainder of the match. He came back from 15-0 down to make it 5-2 in his service game, but he was beaten on Kovacevic’s serve.

“I was not expecting to play against the ball kid for a point, but you always know there’s going to be something funny with him (Bublik),” Kovacevic said afterwards.

The ball boy was stunned to be handed the racket (Image: Tennis Channel)

“I mean, I prepared for that. You know, it’s not the first time he’s having fun out here. It’s not a bad thing. It’s fun for the fans also. But for me, obviously, and for any opponent that he has, it’s important to stay locked in and focus.”

Bublik was therefore unsuccessful in his attempt to defend his Open Occitane title. He had comfortably seen off Germany’s Dominik Koepfer in the first round but produced a disappointing performance against Kovacevic.

The ATP 250 event offered Bublik an opportunity to rekindle his form. His best Grand Slam result last year was the second round at the French Open. the former world No. 17 was dumped out of this year’s Australian Open in the first round, losing in straight sets against Francisco Cerundolo.

Bublik had even less success in the doubles. He and countryman Alexander Shevchenko were thrashed 6-4 6-1 by Ariel Behar and Robert Galloway.