Yulia Putintseva booed at US Open for ignoring ball girl

Yulia Putintseva, a 29-year-old tennis player from Kazakhstan, faced backlash during her match at the US Open after an incident involving a ball girl. While preparing to serve, she ignored three balls tossed to her by the girl, which led to a negative reaction from the crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium. This moment of tension occurred as Putintseva was struggling in her match against Italy's Jasmine Paolini, ultimately losing in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. The incident drew criticism from tennis commentators and former players, including Boris Becker, who expressed disbelief at her behavior. Putintseva later explained that her actions were not directed at the ball girl but were a result of her frustration over missing break points during the match. She admitted to being lost in her thoughts and emotions, which caused her to overlook the ball girl’s efforts. In a social media post, Putintseva publicly apologized to the ball girl, acknowledging that her behavior was unacceptable. She emphasized that all the ball kids at the tournament were performing admirably and that her reaction was not a reflection of their work. This incident highlighted the pressures athletes face during high-stakes matches and the importance of maintaining professionalism, even in moments of personal frustration. Putintseva's early exit from the tournament marked a missed opportunity for her to advance to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for only the second time in her career, leaving her to reflect on both her performance and her conduct on the court.