Saturday’s clash between Yulia Putintseva (Kazakhstan) and Jasmine Paolini (Italy) at the 2024 US Open is attracting attention for all sorts of reasons. The former tennis star, 29, has been criticized for her lack of professionalism and her disgusting behavior toward the ball girl. When the embarrassing moment occurred in the midst of a losing streak for Putintseva, the internet didn’t let up easily and let her take the blame.

After the video of the event made the rounds on social media, former German tennis pro Boris Becker also triggered strong reactions against the Kazakh player. “What does Putintseva think she’s doing? Terrible behavior towards the ball girl!!!”

His repost on X, formerly Twitter, was a reaction to a video shared by @TheTennisLetter on September 1 with the caption: “Ugly moment in Putintseva vs. Paolini match at the US Open.”

The ball girl tries to throw the ball and Yulia watches as it bounces motionless on the ground.

So many ball kids admire these athletes. Let’s try to treat them more kindly.”

User @MerThomp originally posted the clip, sarcastically poking fun at Putintseva, who is “all grown up today when she loses to” Paolini. The video shows the professional tennis player facing the crowd, waiting for the ball girl to pass her the ball – but she never really reacts positively. As two balls bounced toward Putintseva, she watched them leave the court, motionless. Eventually, she caught the third ball coming toward her, and also caught the other two that had bounced earlier.

Read also | Is LeBron James’ support for Caitlin Clark just a pretense? Former ESPN analyst suspects ulterior motives of the Lakers star

The ball girl was equally astonished by the interaction with her hands raised in the air. At the same time, loud boos erupted from the crowd. The match eventually ended with Paolini winning two sets 6-3 and 6-4.

Kazakhstani tennis player apologizes

Yulia Putintseva later issued a formal apology in her Instagram stories and addressed the issue. “I want to apologize to the ball lady for my behavior when she gave me the balls. To be honest, it wasn’t about her. I was really mad at myself because I couldn’t win the game from the break point and then I was emotionally empty and lost in thought because I wasn’t even focused on what was going on and who gave me the ball…”

She concluded her apology by saying, “All the ball kids did great at the Open as always (hand heart emoji).”

Yulia Putintseva is criticized on the Internet as a bad loser at the US Open 2024

In heated reactions to X, Putintseva was criticized for her “terrible behavior.” Someone fumed on stage: “At first I thought she had spoken to her coach. But then you see her signaling with her hand three times that she wants a ball. Terrible behavior. I hope she apologizes to the ball boy.”

Another person wrote: “Horrible irritability and entitlement.” A third said: “I find people who have entitlement attitudes SO ugly.”

Read also | Labor Day shootings: At least six people hospitalized after shooting outside Nashville bar

Meanwhile, someone else praised the ball girl for keeping her cool. “This ball girl is an absolute legend.” Another user chimed in: “I think the ball girl handled that very well. She threw the balls, all three of them, and she ignored them. So well done ball girl.”

A fifth X-user, however, hoped that strict measures would be taken against the tennis pro. “Nothing surprising from Putintseva, LOL, she always brings that attitude to the court. Very disgusting behavior from her, especially when you know how much the kids look up to her. There should be a fine for this behavior.”

Another criticised her for her “disgraceful” stunt: “Very ugly. Putintseva should apologise. @usopen has a huge audience and it is inexcusable to make a ball girl look bad on such a public stage.”

The ongoing US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York will conclude all sporting action on September 8th.