Jelena Ostapenko, currently ranked WTA No.12, faced a quarterfinal defeat at the Brisbane International against former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka. Despite a strong comeback in the second set, Ostapenko lost the decisive set, and Azarenka claimed victory. However, the attention turned to Ostapenko’s animated reactions towards the umpires during the match, particularly in the third set.
A contentious moment arose when Ostapenko believed her serve was hit by Azarenka on one bounce, while she insisted it had bounced three times. In the ninth game of the deciding set, a netcord on Ostapenko’s drop shot added to the frustration.
The Latvian argued that the ball had bounced twice before Azarenka returned it, but the call was not made, leading to Azarenka winning the point and subsequently the game.
“You are blind, it is impossible to play when you make so much mistakes,” Ostapenko said to chair umpire Julie Kjendlie. “I never want you at my match again. You will never be at my match. I don’t want you at my matches, you ruin my matches.”
In an explosive rant, Ostapenko expressed her displeasure, labeling the umpire as “blind” and declaring that they would not officiate any of her matches again. Despite the fiery exchanges, Ostapenko had a decent 2023 season, reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the US Open. As the 2024 season kicks off, observers will be keen to see how Ostapenko performs, especially given her previous success on the hard courts of the Australian Open.
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