The year 2023 has been a roller coaster for Jelena Ostapenko. On one end, she’s collecting title after title but on the other side, she’s been getting heat from the tennis world for her anger issues, arrogant behavior, and poor attitude while losing. She found herself getting backlash from fans for another such episode.
Jelena Ostapenko and Victoria Azarenka met once again and a similar cold vibe could be sensed between them. The intense match between the two at the Qatar Open resulted in the Latvian tennis star losing to arch-nemesis Azarenka in straight sets in the Round of 16. Azarenka won the match 6-0, 6-3.
This marked the third time the Belarusian had overcome her Latvian rival. The funny thing is that even though Ostapenko has been in a solid run of form, she has only lost thrice in Singles this year and all the losses have come against her. Azarenka was also responsible for derailing her Australian Open plans earlier this year, she defeated her in the Third round despite being the lower-seeded.
So, the anger from Ostapenko was expected but to see that things were so bitter between the two was still surprising. After her loss in the Qatar Open, she refused to shake hands with Victoria and instead extended her racquet to Azarenka, a tradition that was the norm during the COVID days. Azarenka, too, denied greeting.
Fans over Twitter and around the world were unhappy to see the Latvian star behave in this manner, especially after a defeat, and expressed their views on the situation with many believing that Ostapenko needs to be more graceful and accepting in her loss.
An angry fan pointed out that Ostapenko’s behaviour showed her arrogance and non-sportsmanship towards her opponent. He also went on to call her a ‘sore loser’.
“So the cocky Ostapenko could extend a handshake to the umpire but not to Azarenka?… So full of herself… Sore loser,” said an angry fan.
So the cocky Ostapenko could extend a handshake to the umpire but not to Azarenka?
— sudo -i (@sudoku001) February 15, 2024
So full of herself.
Sore loser.
Another Twitter handle @Petes__Mustache, also criticized Jelena Ostapenko for throwing stupid tantrums at the end of the game. He called out Ostapenko for showing a lack of respect towards her opponent.
“What a bum move. Have some respect for your opponent,” he wrote.
What a bum move. Have some respect for your opponent
— Pete's Mustache (@Petes__Mustache) February 14, 2024
Why does Ostapenko suck so hard
— miguel h 🃏 (@MiguelHeilbron) February 14, 2024
Not sure why everyone is putting this on Penko. She held out her racket and Vika was like “nope”. I hope they play 10 more times this year.
— jasoncox76 (@jasoncox76) February 14, 2024
Penko needs to grow up and learn what a privilege it is to be a professional athlete
— Patrick (@Patrick356RS) February 14, 2024
Sorry, but that's not funny. Ostapenko's behaviour is a disgrace to the sport and should be sanctioned!
— Laserbrief (@bruetschi) February 15, 2024
Complete lack of respect. Not funny, just rude
— Paul McInerney (@PaulMcInerney17) February 14, 2024
What have the handshakes been like at the other matches this year? Could this have to do with one side of Ostapenko's family being Ukranian?
— Cheryl Harris🌻 (@cdh111) February 14, 2024
“I think it’s something you kind of expect,” Victoria Azarenka isn’t surprised by Jelena Ostapenko’s antics
Earlier this year, Victoria Azarenka had confessed to the media that Jelena Ostapenko’s unnecessary gestures and antics no longer surprised or bothered her. This was an immediate response after their clash at the Australian Open this year.
After beating the Latvian 6-1, 7-5 in the Third round of the Australian Open, Azarenka was asked by a reporter in her post-match conference about her opinions on the antics and behavior of her opponent Jelena Ostapenko. To which, the Belarusian star replied that it no longer bothered her, and she was only focused on competing and giving her best against her.
“I think it’s something you kind of expect, She’s doing what she’s doing. It’s actually interesting because I feel like it doesn’t necessarily always affect her. When she’s winning, she’s like this; when she’s losing, she’s like this. I think it’s just how she deals with herself on the court,” Azarenka said.
