'Disgrace to the sport': Tennis 'brat' storms off court in stunning meltdown
Yulia Putintseva has again shown why she’s arguably the biggest hot-head in tennis.
The 25-year-old Kazakh infamously flipped off the crowd after a loss at the Australian Open in 2019 - and she’s back for more in 2020.
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Putintseva was in action against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic at the Adelaide International on Monday when she lost the plot.
She was left fuming after losing the first set, complaining to the umpire about movement in the crowd while she was serving.
Putintseva angrily remonstrated with the chair umpire before throwing her racquet and storming off court for a comfort break.
But it wasn’t much better when she returned, losing in straight sets 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.
Fans were quick to call out Putintseva over her petulant behaviour, which isn’t anything new.
Tennis brats...can't stand them. No more tennis for me.
— Mick (@MichaelRye1) January 13, 2020
Putintseva losing it.
— carla (@cxrIaa) January 13, 2020
SHE’S BAAAACCCKKK!!!!
— raymond johnson (@raymond04489465) January 13, 2020
The real world doesn't stop for round one outside court tennis. You're the entertainment, Putintseva, get on with it https://t.co/tplWbBJIBp
— versichili (@versichili) January 13, 2020
Putintseva having another normal one #AdelaideTennis
— Philip Gomes (@Think_Tennis) January 13, 2020
Putintseva moans about everything 😂get on with it woman
— TennisWHU (@TennisBetter) January 13, 2020
Yulia Putintseva is a disgrace to the tennis world
— Gucci’s Slingers (@Guccis_Slingers) January 13, 2020
What a melt-down from Yulia Putintseva as Ajla Tomljanovic takes the 1st set in a breaker after a 72min marathon... #AdelaideTennis
— Tony Tannous (@TonyTannousTRBA) January 13, 2020
Tomljanovic embraces home pressure
Tomljanovic reckons being an Australian tennis player in January is a blessing or a curse - depending on your outlook.
"You can look at it as good pressure or bad pressure," Tomljanovic said after her win on Monday.
"I choose just to see it as the best thing possible."
Tomljanovic cashed in on her wildcard status in Adelaide with a slick triumph over Putintseva, the reward a meeting with second-seeded Romanian and reigning Wimbledon champion Simona Halep.
Australia's world No.1 and top seed Ashleigh Barty, after a first-round bye, will meet Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Tuesday.
The Croatian-born Tomljanovic was granted Australian citizenship two years ago, having started competing in 2014 for her adopted country.
And, she is ready to be adopted again by Australian tennis fans, both in Adelaide and at the Australian Open starting next Monday in Melbourne.
"No matter how bad you're playing, they're going to cheer for you," the 26-year-old said.
"All you have got to do is go out there and fight - just do your best really.
"They (Australians) love that fighting spirit, just to see you give it your all. That goes well with my personality."
with AAP
