Julia Putintseva, a tennis player representing Kazakhstan, has found herself at the center of controversy after her behavior during a US Open match. The 29-year-old, originally from Moscow, drew widespread criticism for her dismissive treatment of a young ball girl, sparking outrage within the tennis community. Although Putintseva has since apologized, the incident has left a lasting impression.
During her third-round match against Jasmine Paolini, which she lost 3-6, 4-6, Putintseva’s actions shocked many. In a moment of visible frustration, she allowed two balls thrown by the ball girl to hit her torso without reacting. She then reluctantly picked up a third ball before serving, displaying clear annoyance. The New York crowd quickly expressed their disapproval by loudly booing her.
The entire incident was caught on camera by a spectator, and the video quickly went viral, leading to widespread condemnation from the tennis world. Former tennis star Boris Becker expressed his disbelief, saying, “Who does she think she is? Disgusting behavior towards the ball girl.” Rennae Stubbs, another former player, added, “Disrespectful and disgusting behavior. Unbelievable and typical of her.”
Critics did not hold back, with British journalist Piers Morgan calling it “disgusting arrogance” and suggesting that the ball girl should have thrown the last ball in Putintseva’s face. American tennis analyst Jon Wertheim also commented that the crowd’s booing wasn’t loud enough.
Putintseva’s Apology
A few hours after her match, Putintseva seemed to have a change of heart. She took to social media to issue an apology for her behavior.
“I would like to apologize to the ball girl for the way I behaved. Honestly, it wasn’t about her. I was really angry at myself after losing the game on a break point, and then I felt empty emotionally and mentally. I wasn’t focused on what was happening or who was giving me the balls. All the ball kids at the tournament are doing a great job,” Putintseva wrote.
Despite her apology, the incident has left many fans and observers with a bad taste, and it remains a topic of discussion in the tennis community.
