Sunday, June 22, 2025
22.4 C
London

‘Nobody likes you!’: Seething tennis stars have heated row after match

  • Maria Sakkari knocked Yulia Putintseva at the Bad Homburg Open in Germany 
  • After the usual handshake over the net, a back-and-forth argument broke out 
  • A furious Sakkari even seemed to tell her opponent to act ‘like a human being’ 

Two seething tennis players broke out into a heated argument after a match on Sunday with one even brutally telling her rival: ‘Nobody likes you!’

Maria Sakkari got the better of Yulia Putintseva in straight sets at the Bad Homburg Open in Germany, winning 7-5 7-6 in the third round.

Despite clearly simmering beneath their calm exteriors, they observed the usual show of respect by clasping hands over the net. However, spectators were then shocked after a back-and-forth row began, seemingly over the brief and loose handshake.

Wild card Sakkari appeared to be especially unhappy and was heard telling her opponent to act ‘like a human being’, to which Putintseva insisted she had. 

But the hot-headed Kazakhstani then upped the stakes as she appeared to tell Sakkari to ‘go f***’ herself and to leave her alone, gesturing for her to move away.

Much of the spat wasn’t audible because of the music being pumped out around Centre Court, but a riposte from Putintseva led Sakkari to follow her to her bench.

CONTENT WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE 

Maria Sakkari and Yulia Putintseva were involved in a heated row at an event in Germany

Sakkari followed Putintseva to her bench and was overheard telling her: 'Nobody likes you'

She appeared to have taken exception to Putintseva's handshake over the top of the net

Sakkari eventually walked away but returned again just seconds later, appearing to say, ‘F***ing hell, I’m what?’ She then clearly told Putintseva: ‘Nobody likes you!’ 

The Greek instructed Putintseva to look into her opponent’s eyes when shaking their hand after a match before the umpire stepped in, saying: ‘Ladies, please.’

Putintseva delivered a sarcastic sweeping bow in Sakkari’s direction, saying ‘thank you very much’, and the argument continued even as she made her way off the court.

Last year, Putintseva, 30, was involved in another ugly moment during her defeat to Jasmine Paolini at the US Open, leading to her being widely criticised by pundits.

Footage showed two balls being thrown towards Putintseva ahead of her next serve, but she ignored them and stared back at the ballgirl without moving.

That left the youngster in an awkward position, before Putintseva caught the third ball and resumed the match when she was down 4-2 in the second set. 

Putintseva was loudly booed and twice apologised for her ‘terrible behaviour’, insisting she was ‘p***ed’ at herself rather than the ball girl.

‘It’s kind of scary the way the world can judge someone from just a three second video, that someone posts from one side, without seeing the rest on what was really happening,’ she wrote on social media.

Kazakhstani Putintseva ignored the ball girl's attempts to throw the balls towards her

Putintseva made no attempt to catch the first two balls and was audibly booed on the court

Putintseva did not acknowledge the ball girl as she eventually caught the third ball

She admitted that she's 'a gangster on court, but like an angel off court'

‘I was just playing tennis and lost a tough game, which was very close (in my opinion) to turn that match around. After the game (as you can see on a pic) I got very much disappointed and was almost crying, that I didn’t do better. 

‘At this time the girl was giving me the ball, which I didn’t even notice or so, because I was deep in my thoughts… I was not trying to humiliate her (or anyone) by not taking this ball that she was giving to me.

‘I didn’t do anything disrespectful to anyone at this particular moment. I do apologise, if this girl thinks that it was something towards her. (And btw her name is Kate, very nice girl, which understood that it was nothing towards her).

‘I can’t say that I am perfect all my career. I am getting angry on court, p***ed, saying stupid stuff and curse like no tomorrow sometimes. Guilty for that. But I did never put myself “on top” of someone. That’s just not me at all.’

Hot this week

Xbox One to launch in China this month after all

Happy Sunday from Software Expand! In this week's edition...

Gadget Ogling: Amazon on Fire, Virtual Reality, True Nature and Energy Relief

Happy Sunday from Software Expand! In this week's edition...

Gabby Logan reveals major bedroom move forward has been the secret to her 23-year marriage to husband Kenny after he shared the effect his...

Gabby Logan recently revealed her secrets to a happy marriage after her husband Kenny Logan opened up...

George Baldock funeral: Dele Alli bows his head for his ‘brother’ as aged team-mates pay tribute to tragic footballer in Sheffield after he was...

The ex-Sheffield United star - who was born in England but played internationally for Greece - was...

Marriott Plays With Sensory-Rich Virtual Reality Getaways

Happy Sunday from Software Expand! In this week's edition...

Jobe Bellingham scores on his full Borussia Dortmund debut

The teenager was handed a starting role against Sundowns - and showed promising signs that he's ready to carve out his own path in black and yellow by scoring just before the break.

Florian Wirtz to be joined at Liverpool by glamourous WAG

After weeks of negotiations, the Germany attacking midfielder was unveiled as a Reds player on Friday night, becoming the most expensive British transfer ever amid the hefty price tag.

Guardiola admits City will trim squad size ahead of Premier League

City took 24 outfield players and three goalkeepers to the Club World Cup in America and face Al Ain in the second group game looking to secure qualification in the early hours of Monday.

Who is YOUR club’s most expensive signing ever?

First there was Willie Groves. Then there was Alf Common. Then Denis Law. Trevor Francis. Paul Pogba. Now, there is Florian Wirtz. But how much is each club actually spending?

Marc Guehi ‘prepared to see out Palace deal’ amid Liverpool interest

Guehi was courted by Newcastle last summer but Palace rejected an offer worth around £50m, before Tottenham failed with a bid in January. Both remain keen, while Liverpool are now too.

Trump taunts Iran after ‘taking the bomb right out of their hands

The US terror threat has been heightened after President Trump's strikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites overnight as Tehran weighs its response.

Liz Hurley shares ‘proud parents’ snap of son Damian and Miley Cyrus

Elizabeth Hurley has shared a gushing 'proud parents' post of her son Damian and Miley Cyrus after putting on a loved-up display with boyfriend Billy Ray.

New satellite pics show damage to Iran’s nuclear sites after attacks

President Donald Trump last night ordered six B-2 stealth bombers to drop a dozen 30,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs on the base hidden deep inside a mountain.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img