SUMMARY
- Victoria Azarenka and Jelena Ostapenko clashed in the quarterfinals in Brisbane.
- Ostapenko got into a verbal duel with the umpire since she was unhappy with some of her decisions.
With Brisbane International drawing closer to its business end, there has been no shortage of action so far. There has also been ample drama, and Jelena Ostapenko took it up a notch higher. Ostapenko clashed with the umpire, much to the amusement of Victoria Azarenka and the spectators.
Azarenka and Ostapenko locked horns in the quarterfinals, and it was a tightly contested match. Both players went toe-to-toe, claiming a set each. However, tensions spilled over in the deciding set as Ostapenko launched a verbal attack at the chair umpire.
Victoria was leading 5-4 in the deciding set when Ostapenko felt her opponent got away with a double bounce shot. The former French Open star was very unhappy with the umpire’s decision, and she made her frustrations known in no uncertain terms. Jelena accused Julie Kjendlie, the umpire, of ruining her matches.
Jelena Ostapenko is not happy with the umpire in her match against Azarenka:
“I never want you at my match again. You will never be at my match. You ruin my matches.” pic.twitter.com/7ns1h6rR7F
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 5, 2024
“You make so much mistake. With three bounce. I never want you on my match again. You will never be on my match. You will never be on my match. I don’t want you on my matches. You ruin my match,” she said.
Jelena also added how Kjendlie apparently ruined the Linz final in 2019 for her. Ostapenko had played against Coco Gauff and lost in Linz. The Latvian star is well-known for her on-court antics and outbursts. However, fans are decidedly unhappy with her lashing at the umpire in Brisbane, and some even mocked her theatrics.
nothing’s ever her fault 🤷🏾♀️
— honation #Jo1ntInMelbourne (@hivesnation) January 5, 2024
Oh the drama queen
— Tennis tennis everywhere (@fabMissAna) January 5, 2024
It was a close match, but Victoria Azarenka held her nerves to walk away with the victory against Ostapenko. The Belarussian star is on the hunt for a third title in Brisbane.
Victoria Azarenka had a few words after defeating Jelena Ostapenko
Azarenka was on a roll against Ostapenko in the quarterfinals in Brisbane. She stayed calm despite Ostapenko going out all guns blazing and finally defeated her 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
The match lasted almost two and a half hours, and Victoria enjoyed the sweet taste of victory. Following the match, Azarenka lauded Ostapenko since she is such a fierce competitor.
Vika Azarenka after beating Ostapenko in Brisbane
“With Jelena sometimes you just have to put on a helmet and try to stay in there.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/AxeBNZViu9
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 5, 2024
Victoria Azarenka has previously won the Brisbane International twice in her career. She is looking determined to win a third, and she will face either Aryna Sabalenka or Daria Kasatkina next.