“Controversy on Court: Yulia Putintseva’s Shocking Outburst at Ball Girl Sparks Outrage!”
That year, the 29-year-old lost 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 to Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, and she demonstrated her frustration by storming off the court and flipping off the audience.
At the same tournament, Putintseva shook opponent Barbora Strycova’s hand too firmly after winning the first-round game against her.
“I like to squeeze [people’s] hands normally, but she squeezed me, like, hardcore!” the Czech player said after the incident.
Her defiant attitude drew criticism from tennis legend Boris Becker, who condemned her “terrible behavior” online
Image credits: yulia_putintseva
During a 2011 interview with the Times, Putintseva discussed how she deals with the obstacles that each game presents.
“I think I’ve started to do better now handling — not the pressure, but when things are not going in the right direction,” she said.
Image credits: yulia_putintseva
Venus Williams, who has defeated Putintseva in four out of the five matches they’ve played, described her as a “fighter.”
“She’s a tough player; she’s really hungry,” Williams said. “I feel like she gives 200 percent on every single point. She’s a fighter.”
Putintseva has won three singles titles on the WTA Tour, organized by the Women’s Tennis Association. She has reached the quarterfinals of Grand Slam tournaments three times: twice at the French Open and once at the US Open.
People slammed Putintseva’s behavior on social media, saying the tennis player had left her manners at home
