"You’re the worst player on the Tour": Tomljanovic and Ostapenko set for Wimbledon rematch three years after heated clash
WTA
Alja Tomljanovic and Jelena Ostapenko will face off at
Wimbledon three years after their heated 2021 clash. On that occasion, the
Australian claimed a hard-fought victory 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in a controversial match
that ended with a memorable argument between the two.
At that time, Tomljanovic accused Ostapenko of faking an
injury to slow down the match after the former French Open champion requested
medical assistance while trailing 4-0 in the third set. This time, they will
headline one of the first-round matches on Tuesday at SW19.
Tomljanovic and Ostapenko in Wimbledon first round
Back in 2021 Wimbledon, Tomljanovic and Ostapenko were
involved in a heated argument during their third-round match. The Latvian had a
streak of seven consecutive wins on grass courts and had recently won the
Eastbourne International, making her the favorite against Tomljanovic.
Ostapenko was leading 6-4, 2-0 and seemed to be having a
smooth day. However, she struggled to maintain her level and had evident issues
with her serve, losing her last five service games consecutively, allowing
Tomljanovic to claim victory 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
In the third set, Tomljanovic was already ahead 4-0 after
winning six consecutive games when Ostapenko sat in her chair before serving,
insisting she couldn’t continue due to an injury, and requested a medical
time-out. At that moment, Tomljanovic complained to the umpire: "You know
she’s lying, right? We all know.”
‘Penko’ received treatment for just over 10 minutes before
the match resumed, but Tomljanovic still emerged victorious, marking her only
win in a rivalry that Ostapenko leads 3-1. After the match, the former Roland
Garros champion confronted her opponent at the net: “If you think I’m faking,
you can go to the physio,” she said.
Tomljanovic responded, “I hope you feel better,” but
Ostapenko wasn’t pleased and replied, “Your behaviour is terrible, terrible.
You have zero respect.”
Tomljanovic retorted, “You’re one to talk. Honestly, you’re
one to talk.”
Ostapenko: “What? You’re the worst player on the tour.”
Alja Tomljanovic at 2022 Wimbledon
In the post-match press conference, Ostapenko insisted she
had physical problems and claimed that without the injury, she would have won
easily: “First of all, she cannot say anything because she knows zero about my
injury. And second, it was very disrespectful from her.”
“I had a problem with my abdominal in the second set. I
should have called the physio earlier, but I was just trying to forget the pain
and focus on the game. I think my level today was not good after the first set
because if I played at least 50 percent, I would have beaten her.”
This time, Tomljanovic and Ostapenko will face each other
again on the same stage, although now in the first round. The Australian, world
No. 135, reached the final of the Birmingham Open a week ago and is showing
good form as she returns to the tour, while Ostapenko (No. 13) has not
performed well in the grass swing, with two losses and just one win.
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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