She never had the best reputation, many times she was called “the bad woman of tennis”. Even a number of opponents were determined against her. But at this year’s US Open, Julia Putintseva did something that earned her the contempt of practically the entire tennis world. She herself claims that she was innocent.
“I change personalities on the court. Sometimes I’m a clown, sometimes a gangster,” said the Russian tennis player, who has represented Kazakhstan since 2012.
“Sometimes I feel great, I’m happy, sometimes I’m frustrated and I don’t enjoy it at all. Off the court, however, I am a complete angel. At least that’s what my mother says,” the twenty-nine-year-old player was amused in interviews.
In the next match, she didn’t have enough to wonder, I guess not even her mother…
During the match with the Italian favorite Jasmine Paoliniová, one of the servers, who threw balls at the tennis player, took away her poor mood.
Putintseva must have thought that she was going slowly, so she ignored her completely. The first ball hit her in the chest, the second in the leg, she caught the third, but the spectators noticed her behavior and mercilessly booed the tennis player.
The footage went viral on social networks, and Putintseva received a devastating wave of criticism. A number of personalities were also involved.
“What does Putintseva actually think she is? Terrible behavior,” said Boris Becker, the youngest winner in Wimbledon history.
“That disrespect and obnoxious behavior from her is unbelievable, but typical of her,” added former doubles star Rennae Stubbs.
The well-known British journalist Piers Morgan was also clear: “Disgusting arrogance. The server should have thrown the third ball right in her ridiculous face.’
The native of Moscow herself first apologized for her behavior, then objected to the quick and one-sided way in which the tennis world condemned her.
“It’s kind of scary how the world can judge someone based on a three-second video that someone made from one side,” she wrote on her Instagram.
“I lost an important game that could have meant a turning point in the match. I was terribly disappointed, I almost cried. I didn’t even notice that the girl was giving me balls. In no way did I try to humiliate her,” she explained.
She allegedly talked to the girl, apologized and even prepared a yet unspecified surprise for her.
“I’m definitely not perfect, I get angry on the court, I talk dirty and I say stupid things. I am guilty of all of them. But I never promoted myself over anyone. That’s not me,” added the 29th player of the current ranking.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
