'Show some respect': Tennis world erupts over 'disgusting' Wimbledon moment
Maria Sharapova has taken to social media with some choice words after her opponent sparked anger with her post-match celebrations.
Sharapova was forced to retire hurt while trailing 5-0 in the third set against Pauline Parmentier on Tuesday, citing a recurrence of a tendon injury in her left forearm.
General custom states you don’t go over the top celebrating after your opponents retires hurt, but Parmentier appeared to cross the line with a little dance at the net.
When your opponent retires. 💃#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/FKo8IY0o57
— Ashish TV Slams (@ashishtvslams) July 2, 2019
Sharapova didn’t appear to see it at the time, but didn’t react well when alerted to it on social media.
“I thought about an afternoon nap,” she tweeted on Wednesday. “But that didn’t last too long after being sent this.”
I thought about an afternoon nap 😴 today but...that didn’t last too long after being sent this💪🏻🤸🏼♂️ https://t.co/hli7RSQ9Zl
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) July 3, 2019
The tennis world didn’t really take too kindly to Parmentier’s actions either, with some labelling them ‘disrespectful’ and ‘disgusting’.
WTF,do you know what is sportsmanship ? That’s why you always is nobody...
— Iris (@IwishCat) July 2, 2019
Wtf this is gross
— Sad hours (@harryandsasch) July 2, 2019
Absolutely disgusting behaviour!!!
— Mirela Maryanovic (@m_maryanovic) July 3, 2019
Disgusting @ppauline86
— Meera (@Meera8r) July 2, 2019
So disgusting. 🤢
— Lyka (@Shoolyk) July 2, 2019
I’m sorry but atleast show some respect for someone that was giving her 100% even when she’s injured @ppauline86 pic.twitter.com/fnguQYBTo2
— Nash (@DangNashy) July 2, 2019
However many slammed Sharapova for retiring at 0-5 rather than letting her opponent win properly.
So is disgusting retiring 5-0 .. Did she ever think about us who bet against her??🤣
— Crisis_Tips (@BadTipstr) July 3, 2019
Well if Maria wanted to retire she should have done it earlier... I believe it is really stupid to stop at 5-0...
— Maaaaarion (@MarionAlbouy) July 2, 2019
retirement at 5-0 inthe 3rd...is disgusting👎
— WTA et ATP Tour Encyclopedia (@BINOX1976) July 3, 2019
It is way more shameful to retire at 0-5 in the third set
— / Epsylone \ (@_semper__eadem) July 3, 2019
Parmentier defends actions
“I would have liked that she finished. I still wanted to celebrate,” Parmentier told L’Equipe after the match.
“I thought she was going to retire at 3-0 or 4-0. When you get to 5-0, you can finish. I decided anyway to (enjoy it). I don’t care what people say.”
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Sharapova, who only recently returned from shoulder surgery, fought back from a set down against Parmentier on Tuesday but proved uncompetitive in the decider.
Explaining her withdrawal in a subsequent news conference, the 2004 Wimbledon champion said: "I've had a history of a tendon in my left forearm flaring up. It happened today in the second set.
"It's very rare that I withdraw from a match in the middle of the match. That certainly means that it's painful, yeah."
Sharapova added: "For me to withdraw ... I don't want to put anyone in that position. I'm here to play. I don't want to be in this pain.
"Next time I come here, I want to feel great. I want to do what I'm meant to be doing at the level I believe I can."
Asked when she plans to return to action, the Russian replied: "I don't know yet. It's kind of a tricky injury. I've had this before.
"I haven't really gotten a really good clarification from anyone that I've seen on what really causes it."
with agencies