Tennis star Yulia Putintseva has issued a second apology in response to the backlash she has received following her unsportsmanlike behavior toward a ball girl at the U.S. Open. Despite her apology, Putintseva has denied intentionally humiliating or disrespecting the young girl.
Yulia Putintseva, the 29-year-old Russian-born tennis player, continues to face criticism for her unsportsmanlike behavior toward a ball girl during her third-round loss at the U.S. Open on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Putintseva issued her second apology in response to the widespread backlash, stating that she was "not trying to humiliate her (or anyone) by not taking this ball that she was given to me." However, she also denied any wrongdoing, claiming that she was "deep in [her] thoughts" at the time and did not intentionally disregard the ball girl.
Yulia Putintseva Apologizes Again Amid Backlash, Denies Humiliating Ball Girl
In her latest Instagram post, Putintseva attempted to provide context for her actions, explaining that she was "very much disappointed" and "almost crying" after losing a close match. She also included two pictures that she says show her emotional state at the moment.
Despite her apology and explanation, many fans and critics remain unconvinced, arguing that Putintseva's behavior was disrespectful and unbecoming of a professional athlete. Some have accused her of being a poor role model for young players, while others have called for her to be penalized or even banned from future tournaments.
Yulia Putintseva Apologizes Again Amid Backlash, Denies Humiliating Ball Girl
Putintseva, who has a history of on-court outbursts and controversial behavior, has defended her actions in the past, claiming that she is simply an "emotional player." However, her latest incident has raised questions about the limits of acceptable behavior in tennis and the importance of respecting ball girls and other officials.
The ball girl, who has been identified as Kate, has not publicly commented on the incident. However, Putintseva has stated that she is "very nice" and that she is working on "doing something special for her."
Yulia Putintseva Apologizes Again Amid Backlash, Denies Humiliating Ball Girl
Putintseva has acknowledged that she is not perfect and that she can get angry and frustrated on the court. However, she maintains that she does not believe in putting herself "on top" of others. She hopes that people can now see the incident from a different perspective.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the treatment of ball girls and other officials in tennis. Many former players and commentators have expressed their belief that ball girls deserve to be treated with respect and that unsportsmanlike behavior toward them is unacceptable.
As the backlash continues, it remains to be seen whether Putintseva's apology and explanation will be enough to quell the controversy. Only time will tell if she will face any consequences for her actions or if she will be able to regain the respect and support of the tennis community.
