SUMMARY
- Jelena Ostapenko has created an uproar on the tour after her reaction during the Qatar Open.
- Jelena Ostapenko broke protocol at the net in her fourth-round match against Victoria Azarenka.
The WTA tour has been facing issues among the players since 2022. The start of the Russia-Ukraine war has caused tension in the locker room. The no-handshake policy has been followed by Ukrainian players when they play against Russian and Belarusian players. A similar controversy erupted in the match against Jelena Ostapenko and Victoria Azarenka.
Ostapenko played against Azarenka in the fourth round of the Qatar Open. When the match ended, both players came to the net for the customary handshake. Ostapenko proceeded to point her racket towards Azarenka, which she denied and went on to shake hands with the chair umpire. The Belarusian had a confused look on her face but did not confront Ostapenko about it.
😂😭 the ‘handshake’ ☠️ pic.twitter.com/XWAobXUPhx
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) February 14, 2024
A fan said that the Latvian player failed in sportsmanship. The fan commented, “Penko’s behavior though, My lady is not honorable in defeat at all.” Ostapenko’s behavior has been under the scanner in most of the matches.
Penko’s behavior though🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
My lady is not honorable in defeat at all😭😭 https://t.co/Zd1HnEPuO1— Falade Donad (@donad_lee) February 15, 2024
For those who don’t understand.
Ostapenko has played 17 matches this season and lost only three . Those three losses were to Vika— Earldorman (@ofonime_ukpe) February 14, 2024
Another fan felt that Ostapenko’s repeated loss against Azarenka this season was the reason for her frustration. The fan commented,” For those who don’t understand. Ostapenko has played 17 matches this season and lost only three. Those three losses were to Vika.” Ostapenko has not shared her reason for denying the handshake with Azarenka.
Jelena Ostapenko causes political stir during Qatar Open
The Qatar Open has become the latest venue for political concerns on the WTA tour. The reason for Ostapenko not offering a handshake was allegedly due to the sanctions by the Latvian government. Latvia now does not allow sporting event organizers to invite the Russian and Belarusian national teams. Latvian athletes will not play against the Russians unless they are under the neutral banner.
The Latvian lawmakers issued a statement saying, “The main purpose of the amendments to the law is to reiterate Latvia’s solidarity with Ukraine and to block any Russian efforts to legitimize its war crimes through the sports industry” via politico. It might be the reason why the world No. 11 chose not to follow the procedure against Azarenka.
It’s… getting worse, I guess. https://t.co/ycVNJnGMC5
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 14, 2024
Ostapenko has played three matches against Azarenka this year and has lost all of them. In the first two matches, her handshakes were a bit cold, and in the third match, there was no contact at the net. In their head-to-head meetings on the tour, Azarenka has won all four matches against Ostapenko. The fans will be hoping that things clear out soon between the players.