Sakkari, Putintseva Clash After Bad Homburg Match

Maria Sakkari defeated Yulia Putintseva 7-5, 7-6 at the Bad Homburg Open before a heated verbal altercation erupted during the post-match handshake. Tensions escalated when Putintseva withdrew her hand and mocked Sakkari with a sarcastic curtsy, prompting Sakkari to tell her, 'nobody likes you.' Both players exchanged accusations of disrespect, with Sakkari asking for respect 'as a human being' and Putintseva responding, 'leave her alone.' The umpire intervened as the courtside dispute attracted significant attention from fans. In her post-match interview, Sakkari expressed respect for Putintseva as a competitor but ruled out any future friendship. The incident has fueled ongoing debate among tennis fans, particularly in light of Putintseva's reputation for on-court controversies.