Victoria Azarenka is openly admitting that she wasn’t impressed at all with what she thought was very disrespectful behavior from Jelena Ostapenko during their last match, saying that she will also “act like a b—-” if she is getting the same energy from the other side.
When the Belarusian and the Latvian met 12 months ago in Doha, one viral moment was created due to a very unusual and stunning scene.
After picking up a 6-0 6-3 defeat, Ostapenko went to the net – but instead of reaching out her hand for a handshake – she reached out her racket for a tap.
Azarenka appeared stunned for a moment but then just turned her head and kept going her way.
1⃣5⃣0⃣ hard court wins 👏@vika7 defeats Ostapenko in straight sets 6-0, 6-3 and will face Swiatek in the quarterfinals.#QatarTotalEnergiesOpen pic.twitter.com/ET4xMqmofj
— wta (@WTA) February 14, 2024
Five years ago during the pandemic era, players were instructed to tap rackets after matches instead of shaking hands – but that practice has been long gone now.
Azarenka: Who does that racket thing in 2024? I’m nice until someone provokes me
“I can say it is not my problem, it was her problem,” the two-time Grand Slam champion told Daria Kasatkina while appearing on the Russian’s What The Vlog.
“I don’t know what she wanted me to do with the racket she gave me. She can put it in another place. Who gives the racket in 2024?
“Somebody who acts like a b—-, I’ll be a b—- too. I won’t start it but if you want to play, let’s play. I’m nice until someone provokes me.”
A month before that Doha match, Azarenka also beat Ostapenko in Brisbane and the Australian Open.
After one of their matches in Australia, the Belarusian said it was “comical” to see the Latvian arguing about calls that were made by the electronic line calling system.
They haven’t played since Doha.
Tennis World USA