Yulia Putintseva has faced significant backlash for her disrespectful behavior towards a ball girl during her third-round match at the US Open against Jasmine Paolini, which she lost in straight sets. As she struggled in the match, Putintseva ignored two tennis balls thrown to her, allowing them to bounce away, leading to boos from the crowd. Tennis legend Boris Becker and other commentators criticized her actions on social media, calling them 'terrible' and 'disgusting arrogance'. In response to the outrage, Putintseva issued a public apology, claiming her frustration stemmed from her performance, not the ball girl. Despite the apology, her conduct has reinforced her reputation as a hot-headed player. The incident has sparked discussions about sportsmanship and respect in tennis.