Tennis Player Yulia Putintseva Apologizes for Behavior Towards ...
Tennis Star Rafael Nadal Pulls Out of 2024 US Open
Yulia Putintseva is serving up an apology.
The tennis player said she’s sorry for the way she acted towards a ball girl at the 2024 US Open.
The viral moment occurred during Putintseva’s match against Jasmine Paolini on Aug. 31. As seen in videos shared on social media, a ball girl supplied the 29-year-old with tennis balls so she could serve. But after the ball girl threw her a ball, Putintseva didn’t move and just let it bounce to the side. So, the ball girl tried again. However, the same thing happened. It wasn’t until the ball girl’s third throw that Putintseva caught the ball and proceeded to play.
The athlete received criticism for her behavior—both from the crowd (who could be heard booing in the videos) and from social media users.
“I feel bad for the ball girl,” one user on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote on Sept. 1, “I can't believe yulia had this attitude.” Added another, “So rude and disrespectful!”
Shortly after the match—which Paolini won—Putintseva issued an apology.
"I want to apologize to the ball girl for the way I was, when she was giving me balls," she wrote in a since expired Instagram Stories post, per a screenshot shared by Sports Illustrated. "Honestly speaking it was not about her. I was really pissed at myself by not winning the game from the breakpoint and then 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 was doing amazing as always at the open.”
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Paolini went on to play in the next round but lost to Karolína Muchová Sept. 2.
The 2024 U.S. Open runs until Sept. 8. To see photos of stars who’ve headed to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY for all the action, keep reading.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Jason Sudeikis
The Ted Lasso star was anything but a goldfish as he was interviewed in the stands on Sept. 2.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Shonda Rhimes, Tony Goldwyn & Scott Foley
A Scandal reunion at the U.S. Open? It's handled.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Cynthia Erivo & Lena Waithe
The Wicked star and the Master of None actress were quite pop-u-lar on Sept. 2.
Anna Webber/Getty Images for Maestro Dobel
Tommy Dorfman
You don't need 13 reasons to hit up the Maestro Dobel Tequila suite inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Just ask the actress.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Ellen Pompeo & Chris Ivery
The Grey's Anatomy star and her husband aced their U.S. Open date on Sept. 1.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Hugh Jackman
The Greatest Showman star enjoyed a great showing of tennis on Aug. 31.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Grace Van Patten & Jackson White
The Tell Me Lies couple stepped out for a date night on Aug. 31.
Joey Andrew/Courtesy of Moët & Chandon
Questlove
It was love-all with the Roots musician inside the Moët & Chandon suite at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Yvonne Orji & Carmelo Anthony
The Insecure star was anything but self-conscious when she snapped a selfie with the retired NBA player Aug. 29.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Anna Chlumsky
The Veep alum elected for a green plaid dress for her U.S. Open outing.
Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Heineken
Arielle Kebbel
The Vampire Diaries alum had a fang-tastic time inside the Heineken suite at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Anna Webber/Getty Images for Maestro Dobel
Taye Diggs
The Private Practice actor was digging his Maestro Dobel Tequila cocktail before the start of a match.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Jessica Biel
The actress was in seventh heaven during a match on Aug. 28.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor
The couple had a date night at the m̶u̶s̶e̶u̶m̶ court.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Liz Gillies
It was a victorious outing for the Nickeloeon alum on Aug. 28.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Thomas Doherty
From the Upper East Side to the U.S. Open, the Gossip Girl actor hit the blue carpet.
David Dow/USTA
Kerry Washington
The Scandal star handled this family outing like a pro, bringing her mom Valerie Washington to the tennis tournament on Aug. 26.
Gotham/GC Images
Alec Baldwin & Hilaria Baldwin
The 30 Rock alum and his wife reacted to a play during an Aug. 26 match.
Craig Barritt, Getty Images for Heineken
Morgan Riddle
The YouTuber influenced fans courtside with her limited-edition L0VE.L0VE Heineken.
Matthew Kristall
Paul Forman & Ashley Park
The Emily in Paris costars celebrated their amour in Aperol's first capsule collection.
Gotham/GC Images
Melissa Gorga & Joe Gorga
The Real Housewives of New Jersey couple made the trek from the Garden State to Flushing, N.Y., on Aug. 26.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Lin-Manuel Miranda & Vanessa Nada
The Hamilton alum and his wife did not miss their shot catching a match on Aug. 26.
Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Heineken
Amanda Righetti
The Mentalist actress sipped on the limited-edition LOVE.LOVE Heineken 0.0, a zero-alcohol beer, before a match.
Michael Simon/Courtesy of Moët & Chandon
Phoebe Dynevor & Cameron Fuller
Dearest gentle readers: The Bridgerton star and her fiancé toasted to the U.S. Open with glasses of Moët & Chandon.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Misty Copeland
The ballerina's opening gala look was on pointe Aug. 26.
Gotham/GC Images
Katie Couric & John Molner
The former Today anchor and her husband were all smiles during the opening day matches on Aug. 26.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Danai Gurira
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actress made a marvelous appearance at the tennis competition's opening gala Aug. 26.
Pip Cowley/USTA
Vera Wang & Anna Wintour
The fashion designer and the Vogue editor rocked coordinating sunglasses during an Aug. 26 match.
Sara Jaye/Getty Images for IHG Hotels & Resorts
Peter Weber, Ciara Miller, Kat Stickler, Jason Tartick & Dale Moss
The stars were out in full force at the IHG Hotels & Resorts suite inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug. 26.
Sara Jaye/Getty Images for IHG Hotels & Resorts
Jason Tartick & Kat Stickler
The Bachelorette alum cozied up with his YouTuber girlfriend in the stands on Aug. 26.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
