"Do you understand what you are doing?" - Mirra Andreeva given controversial point penalty for racquet smash, snubs chair umpire after Wimbledon loss
Mirra Andreeva's spectacular run at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships came to an end on Monday, with the 16-year-old falling to Madison Keys in the fourth round.
After taking the first set, the Russian was a break up in the second set and looked on course to reach the quarterfinals before Keys secured an impressive comeback. The American eventually prevailed 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals at SW19 for the first time since 2015.
Argh, Mirra Andreeva has been given a point penalty that brings up match point for Madison Keys.
It was her second unsportsmanlike conduct code violation - hence the penalty - but it looked a lot like Andreeva slipped + dropped her racket while regaining her balance.
#Wimbledon
The match, rich in stunning winners from both players, was not short of controversy, though. When Keys was two points away from victory, Andreeva was handed a point penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after she smashed her racquet, seemingly in frustration.
Andreeva is given a point penalty for throwing her racquet - which gives up match point.
Andreeva is insistent: "I slipped and then I fell."
Not cutting any ice with the umpire.
However, the chair umpire's call was not received well by the teenager, who went on to argue with the umpire that she did not throw the racquet but had simply dropped it after slipping on the court.
"Do you understand what you are doing? I didn't destroy the racquet. I slipped, and then I fell," Mirra Andreeva said.
Andreeva to the chair umpire after receiving a point penalty: "Do you understand what you are doing? I didn't destroy the racquet, I slipped and then I fell."
was this a right call or not?? thoughts!
https://t.co/xgy1Ewr5yo
However, having already received a warning for a similar offence, the chair umpire had no option but to give a point to Andreeva's opponent after the second, handing Keys match point.
While Andreeva saved it, she couldn't save the next, exiting Wimbledon after six wins, including qualifiers.
Andreeva refuses to shake hands with the chair umpire after getting a point penalty two points away from defeat for throwing her racquet to the grass.
At the net, Madison Keys and Mirra Andreeva exchanged a slightly cold handshake, followed by the 16-year-old completely ignoring the chair umpire.
"I'm just a normal teenager, like normal girl" - Mirra Andreeva
Speaking to the press, Mirra Andreeva said that she's a "normal" teenager, doing what girls her age usually do, such as going to school and watching Netflix when she has some time to kill.
"Actually I think I'm just a normal teenager, like normal girl. I do, I think, everything that the girls my age do. I love to watch some series. I have to do my school. I have no choice. I have to suffer for two more years, and that's it."
"So, yes, when I have free time, I prefer to -- sometimes it depends on my mood, but sometimes I prefer to be alone, just with myself, yes. But most of the time I watch Netflix. I'm honest," Mirra Andreeva said.
Her SW19 run has propelled the Russian into the top 70 of the live WTA rankings, putting her in the 64th spot.