THE US Open tennis star who went viral for her “arrogance” towards a ball girl has explained herself and apologised.
Yulia Putinseva, 29, was beaten 6-3 6-4 by Italy’s French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini in the third round at Flushing Meadows.
But it was her behaviour during the defeat that attracted attention and plenty of negative press.
Moscow-born Putinseva – who plays under the Kazakhstan flag – went on a bizarre silent tantrum, taking out her frustration at the ball girl.
The tennis player simply ignored the balls thrown towards her as she stared at the ball girl as boos started to ring out from the crowd before she eventually got her act together and stop acting like a child.
And she took to social media to try and give an excuse for her antics while also saying sorry.
Putinseva, who did a disdainful no-look handshake with one of the most popular and friendly players on tour in Paolini, wrote: “I want to apologize to the ball girl for the way I was when she was giving me balls.
“Honestly speaking it was not about her.
“I was really p***ed at my self by not winning the game from the break-point and then got empty with my emotions and deep in my thoughts, that I was not even focusing on whats going on and who gives me the ball…
“All the ball kids was doing amazing as always at the Open.”
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However, despite the apology, many US Open viewers on social media were still pretty dissatisfied with Putinseva.
One replied: “Well, duh, it was not about her! But it was still an unfortunate display of behaviour. Right move to apologize.”
Tennis stars’ new careers
PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring.
But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best…
- I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun
- I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B
- I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer
- I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend
- I’m last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I’m singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts
- I’m former world No1 but quit aged 29 – instead I went on to play professional poker and golf
- I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist
Another moaned: “Shame on her!!! Humiliation of a ball kid is the last thing you do on a tennis court.”
Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker weighed in and added: “Who does Putintseva think she is… Terrible behaviour towards the ball girl!!!”
But it was Piers Morgan’s comments to his 8.8million X followers that sparked the most traction.
He blasted: “Disgusting arrogance by @PutintsevaYulia – the ball girl should have thrown the 3rd one in her taunting face.”
Putintseva took to social media with her reasoning[/caption]
Tennis stars following in parents’ footsteps
TALK about pressure…
These rising stars are all making their way in tennis.
But they have got something in common – they’ve got a famous parent who also made their name in the sport.
So who are the players hoping to follow in the footsteps of their tennis mums and dads?
- My dad is one of the greatest tennis players ever… but he’s not my idol
- My mum won US Open aged 16 then Wimbledon… but you won’t know it from my surname
- My Czech dad won Australian Open and my sisters are elite golfers… but I’m playing for different country
- My millionaire dad played with Federer… but I’ve reached three Grand Slam finals
- My dad earned £1m and got to French Open final… but I’ve already surpassed his career
- My record-breaking dad is in tennis Hall of Fame and won Wimbledon… but I’m aiming to emulate his achievements
