If yesterday is anything to go by, Jelena Ostapenko and Daria Kasatkina Is likely to never be friends on the women’s tour.
The French Open champion had her US Open run ended by Kasatkina in the third round. During the match, Ostapenko complained of illness affecting her play. It was an anticlimactic outcome to a clash between two of the rising stars of the game. Both are aged 20 and are currently ranked in the world’s top 40. It wasn’t until the end of the match that controversy erupted when Ostapenko appeared far from interested during their handshake.
HANDSHAKE ALERT.
Kasatkina’s smile/shrug after is ICONIC. pic.twitter.com/OgMe0NNpN4
— Jeff Donaldson (@jddtennis) 2 September 2017
Ostapenko’s controversial action triggered criticism from other players on the tour. Former top 10 player Belinda Bencic sarcastically branded the handshake as ‘classy.’ Meanwhile, Steve Darcis questioned the sportsmanship of the player.
Is it so difficult to give a “normal” handshake to your opponent!? #respect #osta-kasat #usopen🙂 #dommage
— steve darcis (@stevedarcishark) 2 September 2017
It isn’t the first time that there has been a frosty relationship between the two. Earlier this year Kasatkina defeated the Latvian in the final of the Charleston Open. During the trophy ceremony, a bemused Ostapenko described her performance as ‘one of her worst.’
“I’m not very pleased with how I played, it was actually one of my worst matches here (in Charleston).” Said Ostapenko.
“It was a great event and I really enjoyed it here. Hopefully next time I can play better here.” She later added.
Similar to this week, she was also criticised by players on social media. Elena Vesnina singled out the comments as not being ‘heartfelt.’
‘I don’t know her’
Saturday’s US Open clash was the fourth meeting between the two players on the tour. During her press conference, Ostapenko stated that she ‘doesn’t know’ Kasatkina when asked if they were friends.
“I actually don’t know her. We just play the same tournaments from like the age of 10, 12. I saw her many times, but I don’t know her.” The French Open champion explained.
On the tour, the head-to-head between the players are tied at 2-2.
It is not the first time that the end of a women’s match at the US Open has raised eyebrows. Coco Vandeweghe progressed to the fourth round of the tournament for the first time with a marathon 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, win over Agnieszka Radwańska. After a hawkeye decision decided the end of the match, Vandeweghe went to celebrate without acknowledging her rival at the net.
Radwanska waiting for hawkeye. As Vandeweghe win confirmed, she goes away to celebrate first&shake hands later with Aga standing right there pic.twitter.com/E6oC36Tuj9
— Ashish Jena (@ashishjena94) 2 September 2017
In the rules of tennis handshakes are not mandatory. Although the sport has developed a tradition of conducting them in order to show mutual respect between both players.
