Sakkari completed a 7-5, 7-6 victory at the Bad Homburg Open. As the players shook hands, Putintseva was quick to take her hand away, angering Sakkari.
Putintseva, who was born in Russia, then mocked Sakkari by pretending to curtsy, which the latter took exception to, saying: โRespect me like a human being.โ Putintseva fired back as she walked back to her chair: โI was being like a human being. Get over yourself.โ
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Sakkari asked Putintseva to repeat what she said, and the two exchanged more words before Putintseva told Sakkari to โleave her aloneโ.
Sakkari appeared ready to walk away, saying โf—ing hellโ but after hearing another comment from Putintseva, she hit back again, repeatedly telling her: โNobody likes you,โ and adding: โWhen you shake hands, look at the other person in the eye.โ
The match umpire eventually stepped in, saying: โLadies, pleaseโ. However, Putintseva performed another bow for Sakkari and walked off the court.
It represented the latest on-court flashpoint involving Putintseva after she was slammed last year for showing โdisrespectโ to a ball girl at the US Open.
With Putintseva a set and 4-2 down to Jasmine Paolini, the ball girl attempted to throw balls towards the Kazakhstani before she took serve. But the player did not attempt to catch or pick up the ball; instead glaring at the girl with her arms down by her side.
Telegraph, London
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