“It was her problem”: Victoria Azarenka discusses Ostapenko's provocative gesture at Qatar Open
WTASunday, 02 March 2025 at 08:30
Victoria Azarenka recalls the controversy with Jelena Ostapenko in their last encounter at the 2024 Qatar Open. The former world No. 1 took a comfortable 6-0, 6-3 victory in the Round of 16, extending her perfect streak against Ostapenko to 5-0.
It was a heated encounter in which Azarenka dominated from start to finish. This was the third consecutive tournament they faced off in mid-February, with previous wins for Azarenka at the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.
It wasn’t an easy loss for Ostapenko, who had a strong 13-2 record at the start of the season, with titles at the Linz Open and Abu Dhabi. However, Azarenka eliminated the former French Open champion for the third time in a row, and the Latvian player showed her frustration at the end of the match.
As they approached the net after the match, instead of offering a handshake, Ostapenko brought her racquet close to Azarenka – seemingly intending to clash them. This annoyed Azarenka, who stepped aside while both players exchanged goodbyes with the chair umpire.
1⃣5⃣0⃣ hard court wins 👏@vika7 defeats Ostapenko in straight sets 6-0, 6-3 and will face Swiatek in the quarterfinals.#QatarTotalEnergiesOpen pic.twitter.com/ET4xMqmofj
— wta (@WTA) February 14, 2024
The two-time Grand Slam champion reflected on the controversial moment in her latest appearance on What the Vlog, Daria Kasatkina’s YouTube channel, alongside her partner Natalia Zabiiako. “I can say it’s not my problem, it was her problem. I don’t know what she wanted me to do with the racket she gave me. She can put it in another place,” Azarenka said.
"Who gives the racquet in 2024? Somebody who acts like a b*tch, I'll be a b*tch too. I won’t start it but if you want to play, let’s play. I’m nice until someone provokes me," the 10-time WTA 1000 champion added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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