Alexander Bublik defends trick shot fail at Metz final

WATCH: Bublik has become one of the game's biggest personalities, unfiltered both on and off the court.

Why so serious, jokes Alexander Bublik after facing criticism for the failed trick shot he attempted at the Moselle Open final.

Bublik, better known as “Sasha,” was playing his third ATP final of the season and (ostensibly) looking for his second career title after winning his first in February over Alexander Zverev.

But trailing Lorenzo Sonego by a set and a near-double break, the Kazakh—known as much for his sense of humor as his audacious shotmaking—let loose on break point and attempted a putaway with the grip of his racquet.

The laughter from the Metz crowd turned to boos when Bublik failed to ultimately win the point; initially out of the point, Sonego recovered to pass him at net.

Apoplectic in the commentary booth, Mikey Perera admonished Bublik for pulling an exo move in the midst of a final.

“What is he thinking?” he says, later calling the shot “outrageous.”

Bublik went on to lose to the resurgent Italian and part-time recording artist, 7-6 (3), 6-2, but pulled no punches on social media after the match, posting the full clip on his Instagram with the caption “Don’t take it too serious.”

Despite the defeat, it appears the 25-year-old got the last laugh: Bublik is back on the brink of rejoining the Top 40 after a week that featured a trio of tough three-setters—including a quarterfinal thriller against No. 4 seed Holger Rune.