"Some players are just so fake" – Tensions rise during Ostapenko's Doubles Match in Abu Dhabi

During a doubles quarter-final match at the Abu Dhabi 500, tensions flared between Jelena Ostapenko, Ellen Perez, Timea Babos, and Nicole Melichar-Martinez. The controversial moment, though not captured on TV or mentioned by commentators, quickly gained traction on social media, emphasizing the intensity of the situation.

Ostapenko and Perez secured a 6-4, 6-4 victory to advance to the semi-finals. However, the most talked-about moment of the match came during a changeover, where an exchange between the players escalated tensions.

As the players switched sides, Babos and Melichar-Martinez were set to proceed first when Ostapenko moved ahead, causing them to halt abruptly. This seemingly minor action led to a verbal exchange that added an extra layer of controversy to the match.

Babos took to Instagram to express her frustration about the situation, indirectly calling out her opponent’s lack of respect.

"Some players are just sooo fake and disrespectful. I don't care how good they are or how well they hit the ball; they just have to have respect and manners."

Perez also gave her take on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying her perspective on what happened.

"On one of the changeovers, we got up to switch sides, and Niki and Timea were about to go first, and [Jelena Ostapenko] went, and I guess it made Timea stop and wait. As we were switching sides, Timea said, ‘Yeah, you're welcome.’ Then from there, Jelena was fired up with ‘C'mons.’ That’s all, honestly."

This is not the first time Ostapenko has found herself at the center of controversy. The Latvian player has been involved in several on-court disputes, with previous incidents in Doha and Brisbane drawing criticism for her behaviour.

In 2024, after a loss to Victoria Azarenka in Doha, Ostapenko engaged in a heated dispute with the umpire. A similar situation occurred at the 2025 Brisbane International, where her on-court demeanor sparked further criticism.

Despite the latest controversy, Ostapenko and Perez maintained their focus and went on to win their semi-final match, moving one step closer to securing the title in Abu Dhabi.