Jelena Ostapenko savaged by tennis fans over 'unprofessional' act towards Victoria Azarenka

Jelena Ostapenko is never far away from controversy and the Latvian has once again caused uproar after refusing to shake hands with Victoria Azarenka in Doha. Ostapenko has been in strong from in 2024, but previous to this meeting her only two losses have come to Azarenka.

And the Belarusian once again proved too strong for Ostapenko winning 6-0 6-3 at the Qatar Open having dismantled the Latvian in a match full of tension. Ostapenko was well off her game as she hit 49 unforced errors, compared to 25 winners.

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Azarenka weathered the power-hitting from Ostapenko and set-up a clash with World No.1 Iga Swiatek. However, tennis fans have erupted after Ostapenko was once again accused of 'unprofessional' behaviour when she refused to shake Azarenka's hand.

After match point, Azarenka headed towards the net to embrace her opponent. Ostapenko was keen to get off court and instead of offering a handshake, she held out her racquet.

The two-time grand slam champion looked baffled and waved away Ostapenko's rather weak attempt at sportsmanship. Ostapenko wasn't fazed and walked off after the defeat in Doha. In their previous two meetings this year, in Brisbane and the Australian Open, the duo have shaken hands at the net.

This time, it appears Ostapenko was unimpressed and wasn't willing to greet Azarenka. And it's fair to say Ostapenko's antics caught the attention of tennis fans around the world. Aussie tennis great Rennae Stubbs couldn't help but chuckle on social media at the brutal snub - which isn't the first from Ostapenko towards an opponent - while other fans blasted the 'unprofessional' behaviour.

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Ostapenko has been involved in a number of controversial moments throughout her career, which has seen her also garner a big fan base due to her unpredictable demeanour. At this year's Australian open, Azarenka dismissed the Latvian's behaviour on court and admitted it doesn't impact her.

“I think it’s something you kind of expect,” Azarenka said of Ostapenko's antics after their Australian Open match. “She’s doing what she’s doing. It’s actually interesting because I feel like it doesn’t necessarily always affect her. When she’s winning, she’s like this; when she’s losing, she’s like this. I think it’s just how she deals with herself on the court.

“I can’t speak for how she feels and why she does it. Some of [Ostapenko’s] line callings, I mean, it can be a bit comical … I just think that’s how she is. I don’t necessarily judge. I’m just there to play a match."

At this year's Australian Open, Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic and Ostapenko appeared to bury the hatchet and shared a nice moment at the net after the Latvian eliminated her Aussie opponent. The encounter had been billed as a grudge match due to the nasty spat the two players were involved in at Wimbledon in 2021.

On that occasion, Tomljanovic accused Ostapenko of lying about an injury deep in the third set so she could take a timeout and try to break the Aussie's momentum. However, after their second round clash at Melbourne Park, there was no hard feelings between the pair as they shared an embrace in a nice change.

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