(VIDEO) "Your behaviour is terrible": Drama likely as Tomljanovic and Ostapenko set for rematch of fractious Wimbledon clash

Jelena Ostapenko, as they engaged in a tense match where the Australian accused her opponent of feigning an injury after Ostapenko took a medical timeout. The two will cross paths again, this time in the second round of the Australian Open.

The Australian, ranked No. 271, secured victory in the first round against Petra Martic (No. 40) with a scoreline of 7-6(5), 6-1, marking her return to her home Grand Slam after missing the 2023 edition due to injury. Ostapenko, on the other hand, triumphed in her opening-round match against the local player Kimberly Birrel (No. 116) with a score of 7-6, 6-2.

Read also

MATCH REPORT | 2024 Australian Open: Emma RADUCANU makes Grand Slam return with superb straight sets win over Shelby ROGERS

Controversy at 2021 Wimbledon

The third-round match at SW19 in 2021 concluded with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory for Tomljanovic. However, the former French Open champion was displeased with her opponent's accusation of dishonesty, leading to a heated exchange at the net during the post-match handshake.

At the moment of Ostapenko's injury, Tomljanovic directed a comment to the umpire: "You know she's lying." Ostapenko, in response, wasted no time clarifying that she was telling the truth and expressed her frustration to her rival: "If you think I'm faking it, you can talk with the physio," Ostapenko said. "Your behavior is terrible. You have zero respect."

"You're one to talk," retorted Tomljanovic, further fueling the tense exchange between the two players.

Read also

(VIDEO) Anastasia Potapova obliterates racquet on match point, Kaja Juvan picks it up and gives it to fan

Ostapenko defends injury, Tomljanovic stands firm

The current world No. 10 asserted in the press conference that she had indeed pulled her abdominal muscle during the second set, leading to difficulties in serving due to the pain. "She cannot say anything unless she knows anything, and she's not me, so she cannot feel the pain," Ostapenko remarked. "I'm the one who feels the pain. I really felt I needed the physio."

"That's why I said very bad player because of this behavior. You're winning but that doesn't mean you can do everything you want” Ostapenko said in press conference after match. "It was very disrespectful from her side because she doesn't know about the injury. Everyone is an athlete and everyone can have an injury."

Tomljanovic, in her press conference, maintained her stance that Ostapenko feigned the injury. "She can say she was injured. I don't think she was," Tomljanovic insisted. "I think it was a clear reason she wanted to get me off my game. Game-wise, there was nothing wrong with her.”

"I think it is disgraceful behavior from someone who is a Slam champion. If she was injured, she could have gone about it in a better way.

Ryan

@Some1NamedRyan

·Follow

R2 2024 Australian Open Get ready 🍿🍿🍿

Watch on Twitter

3.7K

Reply

Copy link

Read 104 replies

Read also

"Overall a C, she is not in shape": Martina Navratilova gives brutal assessment on Naomi Osaka's return defeat at Australian Open