In an unsettling display of poor sportsmanship, Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva found herself at the center of controversy during her third-round match at the 2024 US Open. The 29-year-old tennis pro, known for her fiery on-court demeanor, sparked outrage after an awkward and dismissive interaction with a ball girl that left the New York crowd stunned.

The incident occurred as Putintseva faced Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in a tense match, with the Kazakh player clearly frustrated as she struggled to keep up. In the now-viral video circulating on social media, Putintseva can be seen standing on the court as the ball girl tosses two balls her way. Instead of catching them, Putintseva let them bounce off her body, seemingly indifferent to the situation. One ball even hit her foot and rolled away, which she barely acknowledged.

The ball girl, visibly shocked and unsure of how to respond, raised her hands in confusion before quickly moving out of the way. The crowd, witnessing this bizarre display of disregard, erupted in boos, making it clear they were not impressed with Putintseva’s behavior. The awkwardness of the moment was palpable, and it wasn’t long before social media exploded with criticism of the Kazakh player.

Legendary tennis figure Boris Becker didn’t mince words in his condemnation of Putintseva. The former world No. 1 took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disapproval, writing, “Who does Putintseva think she is… Terrible behavior towards the ball girl!!!” Becker’s comments reflect the sentiments of many who were appalled by the lack of respect shown to the young ball girl, who was simply doing her job.

Some speculated that Putintseva, seemingly deep in thought and frustration, may have been distracted by someone in the stands and didn’t fully notice the ball girl’s attempts to hand her the balls. However, this excuse did little to calm the backlash, as many felt that a seasoned player like Putintseva should have more control over her emotions on the court.

In the wake of the controversy, Putintseva took to Instagram to issue a public apology, acknowledging that her emotions got the better of her. “I want to apologize to the ball girl for the way I was when she was giving me balls,” she wrote in a now-expired post. “Honestly speaking, it was not about her… I was really pissed at myself 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 what’s going on and who gives me the ball… All the ball kids were doing amazing as always at the Open.”

While her apology may soften some of the criticism, the incident has undoubtedly left a mark on Putintseva’s reputation. Meanwhile, Jasmine Paolini, who kept her composure throughout the match, secured a straight-sets victory, 6-3, 6-4. The win marks a significant achievement for the 28-year-old Italian, making her the first Italian player to reach the Round of 16 at every Grand Slam event in a single year.

As the 2024 US Open continues, the focus will likely shift back to the game, but the memory of Putintseva’s misstep serves as a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship, even in the heat of competition.