Yulia Putintseva Apologizes for Behavior Towards Ball Girl at US Open
Originally appeared on E! Online
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!”
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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.”
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.
It was love-all with the Roots musician inside the Moët & Chandon suite at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Yvonne Orji & Carmelo Anthony
The Insecure star was anything but self-conscious when she snapped a selfie with the retired NBA player Aug. 29.
Anna Chlumsky
The Veep alum elected for a green plaid dress for her U.S. Open outing.
Arielle Kebbel
The Vampire Diaries alum had a fang-tastic time inside the Heineken suite at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Taye Diggs
The Private Practice actor was digging his Maestro Dobel Tequila cocktail before the start of a match.
Jessica Biel
The actress was in seventh heaven during a match on Aug. 28.
Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor
The couple had a date night at the m̶u̶s̶e̶u̶m̶ court.
Liz Gillies
It was a victorious outing for the Nickeloeon alum on Aug. 28.
Thomas Doherty
From the Upper East Side to the U.S. Open, the Gossip Girl actor hit the blue carpet.
Kerry Washington
The Scandal star handled this family outing like a pro, bringing her mom Valerie Washington to the tennis tournament on Aug. 26.
Alec Baldwin & Hilaria Baldwin
The 30 Rock alum and his wife reacted to a play during an Aug. 26 match.
Morgan Riddle
The YouTuber influenced fans courtside with her limited-edition L0VE.L0VE Heineken.
Paul Forman & Ashley Park
The Emily in Paris costars celebrated their amour in Aperol’s first capsule collection.
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.
Lin-Manuel Miranda & Vanessa Nada
The Hamilton alum and his wife did not miss their shot catching a match on Aug. 26.
Amanda Righetti
The Mentalist actress sipped on the limited-edition LOVE.LOVE Heineken 0.0, a zero-alcohol beer, before a match.
Phoebe Dynevor & Cameron Fuller
Dearest gentle readers: The Bridgerton star and her fiancé toasted to the U.S. Open with glasses of Moët & Chandon.
Misty Copeland
The ballerina’s opening gala look was on pointe Aug. 26.
Katie Couric & John Molner
The former Today anchor and her husband were all smiles during the opening day matches on Aug. 26.
Danai Gurira
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actress made a marvelous appearance at the tennis competition’s opening gala Aug. 26.
Vera Wang & Anna Wintour
The fashion designer and the Vogue editor rocked coordinating sunglasses during an Aug. 26 match.
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.
Jason Tartick & Kat Stickler
The Bachelorette alum cozied up with his YouTuber girlfriend in the stands on Aug. 26.
Peter Weber
The former Bachelor lead showed off his juggling skills inside the IHG Hotels & Resorts suite Aug. 26.
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