On the Center Court of the Italian Open 2023, tensions soared as Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko clashed in the semifinal match. The match was delayed due to heavy rain, and a heated exchange between the players ensued on the court. Spectators and tennis fans worldwide were left astounded as the visual evidence of the altercation emerged. Many users tweeted their wild emotions about the match.

The post-match tensions ballooned in the handshake between the players as they vented off-court. Rybakina’s coach, Stefano Vukov, even accused the opponent of verbally abusing his player with a derogatory term. Undeterred, Rybakina chose to focus on her tennis skills and let her game speak for itself. The incident sparked debates among tennis fans worldwide about sportsmanship and many users criticized Ostapenko’s behavior online.

Fans share wild reactions to cold handshake between Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko

The post-match handshake between Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko elicited strong reactions from tennis fans, who viewed the incident with a range of emotions. Numerous users discussed their views on the behavior of both players. Outrage was the sentiment that resonated the strongest; many users felt that Ostapenko had acted in an unsportsmanlike manner and used offensive language. Fans were unhappy that she was not able to show grace and respect amid the pressure of the moment.

TennisChannel tweeted, “Interesting handshake between Elena Rybakina & Jelena Ostapenko in Rome. It looks like Elena told the umpire to tell Jelena something. I’d love to know what this is all about 🌶.”

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A significant portion of fans condemned Ostapenko’s behavior during the handshake. Many users expressed their disappointment and criticized her for what they perceived as unsportsmanlike conduct.

One angry Twitter user shared,” Everybody knows Ostapenko is a bad loser.”

Many fans questioned her ability to handle pressure gracefully and believed that her actions were disrespectful to her opponent and the sport. Here are such fan reactions from users on Twitter:

As with any viral incident, some fans used humor and memes to lighten the situation. They created humorous posts, GIFs, and memes based on the handshake altercation. Various users added a lighthearted perspective to the incident.

Fans of Rybakina showed their support for her and commended her for maintaining composure during the altercation. They praised her professionalism and ability to handle the situation with grace.

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Ostapenko once shared how it felt to feel the wrath of fans on the court

In the 2022 French Open, Ostapenko began her campaign by securing a victory in the first round against Lucia Bronzetti from Italy. It is well known that the French crowd has always shown strong support for their home favorites. Moreover, this overwhelming backing could potentially affect the opponents of French players. However, Ostapenko seemed unfazed by this prospect.

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At a press conference, she was asked about her approach to a match where the crowd would be cheering against her. Ostapenko responded confidently. She expressed that it could work to her advantage, stating that she thrives when faced with opposition from the crowd. According to Ostapenko, the opposing cheers help her maintain focus and elevate her performance on the court. What do you think about Ostapenko’s contentious on-court strategies? Let us know in the comments.