"I was really pissed at myself" - Yulia Putintseva breaks silence after backlash over misbehaving with ball girl at US Open
Yulia Putintseva has apologized to a ball girl after drawing criticism over her behavior with the youngster during her third-round loss to Jasmine Paolini at the ongoing 2024 US Open. According to the Kazakh, her poor behavior stemmed from her frustrations with her own dismal performance.
Putintseva and Paolini squared off on Saturday, August 31, in the Louis Armstrong Stadium, and the Kazakh was thoroughly outplayed by the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon runner-up. Controversy erupted during Putintseva's 3-6, 4-6 defeat when the Kazakh, preparing to serve after failing to take advantage of a break point opportunity, refused to catch balls tossed her way by the ball girl.
Loud boos rang out as the crowd at the Louis Armstrong Stadium showed their displeasure at Putintseva's behavior. The Kazakh later faced flak from irate fans as well, with many suggesting that she should have been disqualified.
Later, the World No. 32 took to Instagram and penned an apology for the ball girl. Putintseva stated that she was feeling frustrated in that particular moment due to her inability to convert the break point opportunity she had during the previous game.
"I want to apologize to the ball girl for the way I was, when she was giving me balls. Honestly speaking it was not about her. I was really pissed at myself by not winning the game from the break point," Putintseva wrote on her Instagram Story.
The Kazakh went on to write about how her frustrations resulted in her feeling devoid of emotions. She concluded her apology by appreciating the US Open ball boys and girls, and their efforts.
"Got empty with my emotions and deep in my thoughts, that I was not even focusing on what's going on and who gives me the ball... all the ball kids were doing amazing as always at the Open," Puntintseva added.
Putintseva came under fire earlier as well, after what many perceived as an attempt by her to distract World No. 1 Iga Swiatek during the pair's fourth-round clash at the 2024 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Yulia Putintseva seemingly distracted Iga Swiatek at BNP Paribas Open 2024
Putintseva was blown away 6-1, 6-2 by World No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the 2024 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. However, the Kazakh stirred controversy during the match, when she appeared to be shuffling her feet as Swiatek was about to serve.
While the Pole didn't bother too much about it, several fans perceived it as the Kazakh trying to distract Swiatek. They proceeded to criticize Putintseva over the matter, suggesting that Swiatek would be judged more harshly had she done something similar herself.
So far this year, Putintseva has won 35 and lost 18 of her matches, with her best finish coming at the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham, where she won the title after defeating Ajla Tomljanovic in the final.