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Women’s tennis star Yulia Putintseva reacted on Monday after her spat with Maria Sakkari at the Bad Homburg Open went viral across social media over the weekend.
Sakkari appeared to take issue with how Putintseva shook her hand following their match. The Greek tennis star won the match over Putintseva 7-5 7-6 (6). The broadcast caught Sakkari stepping over toward Putintseva’s side to exchange words with her. She was heard saying, “nobody likes you” and that she should look her opponent in the eyes during a handshake.
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Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan celebrates after defeating Coco Gauff of the United States on day four of the Cincinnati Open in Cincinnati on Aug. 15, 2024. (Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports)
Putintseva posted the clip on her Instagram account on Monday and offered her own words.
“By the way – not that I care – I shook her hand as most women do,” Putintseva wrote. “Clearly not according to the ‘hugging protocol’ some men seem to follow.”
The incident began when Putintseva slapped Sakkari’s hand at the end following the loss. Sakkari started jawing at Putintseva, and Putintseva responded with a curtsy. The heated moment only escalated from there.
TENNIS PLAYER CALLS OPPONENT ‘LITTLE PIG’ AND ‘PIECE OF S—‘ AFTER LOSING HEATED MATCH IN GERMANY
Yulia Putintseva reacts after missing a shot against Jelena Ostapenko in ladies’ singles action on day eight of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8, 2024. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
Sakkari addressed the incident in her post-match interview after Putintseva walked toward the locker room.
“I don’t think she’s going to invite me for dinner for the rest of our lives, but I don’t care, to be honest,” she said, via Tennis.com. “I have very good friends, and I’ll go to dinner with them. Let me leave it here, and just say that I have respect for her as a player, but that’s it.”
Sakkari is set to face Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Round of 16 of the tournament.
Maria Sakkari reacts after winning a point against Coco Gauff on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on March 22, 2025. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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All roads will lead to the next Grand Slam tournament – Wimbledon – next month.
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