Tennis player Yulia Putintseva faced backlash after her attitude toward a ball girl at the US Open sparked controversy. Putintseva issued an apology on Instagram, explaining that her frustration with herself during a match led to her behavior towards the ball girl. During a match against Jasmine Paolini, Putintseva motioned for a ball girl to throw her new balls but let two balls bounce off her body before catching a third. The crowd booed Putintseva, and she ultimately lost the match to Paolini in straight sets. Putintseva is now out of the tournament, while Paolini advanced to face Karolina Muchova in the round of 16.
Former world No. 1 tennis player Boris Becker criticized Putintseva for her behavior, calling it terrible behavior towards the ball girl. Rennae Stubbs, an Australian former tennis player and coach, also called out Putintseva for her disrespectful and obnoxious behavior. Feliciano López, the director of the Madrid Open and a Spanish former tennis pro, felt that Putintseva humiliated the ball girl and expressed his disapproval on Twitter. Piers Morgan also weighed in on the controversy, sharing a video of the incident and calling Putintseva’s behavior disgusting arrogance.
The incident involving Putintseva and the ball girl generated a significant amount of backlash from the tennis community and fans. Many criticized Putintseva for her behavior, citing it as disrespectful and unacceptable. The controversy continued to unfold on social media, with various individuals expressing their disapproval of Putintseva’s actions. Despite issuing an apology for her behavior, Putintseva faced consequences as she was eventually eliminated from the US Open tournament following her loss to Paolini.
The US Open continued through September 8, with the incident involving Putintseva and the ball girl remaining a topic of conversation among fans and players. Putintseva’s behavior sparked discussions about professionalism and sportsmanship in tennis, with many emphasizing the importance of respecting officials and ball kids on the court. The incident served as a reminder of the pressure and emotions that athletes face during high-stakes matches, but also highlighted the need for athletes to maintain composure and respect towards others.
As the tournament progressed, focus shifted to the matches and players still competing in the US Open, with the controversy surrounding Putintseva beginning to fade. The incident served as a lesson for players and fans alike about the importance of sportsmanship and respect in the world of professional tennis. While the controversy may have overshadowed the early rounds of the tournament, the competition continued to showcase the skill and talent of the athletes participating in the US Open.
