'Bullsh*t': Female tennis players in ugly post-match altercation
While the drama of the US Open was unfolding across the weekend, the real drama in the tennis world was arguably taking place at the Istanbul Open.
Paula Badosa and Polona Hercog were involved in nasty scenes during their quarter-final clash on Saturday, which Badosa won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
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After Badosa clinched the match via an error from Hercog, the Spaniard was left exasperated when her opponent refused to touch racquets with her.
As is the new protocol during the coronavirus pandemic, players tap racquets rather than shake hands at the net after a match.
However Hercog didn’t want any part of Badosa, walking straight to her bag and off the court.
Badosa couldn’t believe the treatment from her opponent, angrily remonstrating with the chair umpire about it.
In bizarre scenes, Badosa appeared to flip the umpire her middle finger as she vented.
“This is poor sportsmanship,” she said.
“Come on, unbelievable, all the talking, talking, saying bullsh*t, and she doesn’t even give me the f***ing racquet.
“Unbelievable. She is 10 years old.”
Hercog was furious with the chair umpire when she refused to overturn a call in the final game of the match.
The Slovenian player even took a photo of the mark on the court as she left.
Our first post-match no-tap drama? Here’s how Badosa vs. Hercog ended today in Istanbul... pic.twitter.com/EYaKjQTyeT
— Jeff Donaldson (@jddtennis) September 11, 2020
You can't really fine boorish behaviour and poor sportsmanship, well, maybe you can, but that opens it up to interpretation. Just unfortunate to see that, it reflects poorly on the poor sport player.
— Brian Gerstein (@RaptorsDevotee) September 11, 2020
lol this type of stuff is ridiculous to me. I watched this match. Hercog clearly pissed she couldn't land her forehands and hold once in the last set. had nothing to do with Badosa. So why do this? https://t.co/V7UiBM5sdO
— Kenny Ducey (@KDPicks) September 11, 2020
Oooooh that was a tasty spat between Hercog/Badosa. Hercog refused to clink rackets and Badosa again accused her of giving her the middle finger 🖕
— Lisa Senior (@furryyelloballs) September 11, 2020
Eugenie Bouchard falls short in Istanbul final
Meanwhile, qualifier Eugenie Bouchard fell short of capturing her first WTA tournament title in six years on Sunday, falling to Patricia Maria Tig of Romania 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) in the final.
Bouchard was appearing in her first final since 2016. Her only career tournament title came in Nuremberg, Germany in 2014.
Tig, ranked No. 88, converted on 5-of-13 break points and saved 6 of 10.
The match took two hours 32 minutes.
Bouchard beat Badosa 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-finals after winning two qualifying matches to get into the main draw.
Bouchard, a former World No. 5 after reaching the final of Wimbledon in 2014, is projected to rise to No. 163 after Sunday's result.
with agencies
