Yulia Putintseva Condemns 'Disrespectful' Crowd Behaviour at Australian Open
Kazakhstan tennis veteran Yulia Putintseva has launched a stinging critique of what she described as 'disrespectful' crowd conduct during her hard-fought Australian Open victory over Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez. The 31-year-old, who had never previously advanced beyond the third round at Melbourne Park, secured her place in the next stage after a gruelling three-set match on Friday, but the occasion was marred by what she perceived as poor spectator etiquette.
On-Court Celebration and Crowd Reaction
Following her triumph, Putintseva delivered a pointed response to sections of the audience by cupping her hand to her ear before performing a brief twerking dance in the direction of the stands. This celebratory gesture, which Australian tennis commentator Liz Smylie later labelled as 'unnecessary', came after the player faced sustained booing from numerous pro-Turkish supporters throughout the contest.
In her post-match remarks, Putintseva elaborated on the challenging atmosphere, stating: 'The crowd is always in favour of someone and has someone to cheer for, and that's what is great about the sport... but today there were a lot of disrespectful moments.' She highlighted specific instances where the behaviour crossed the line of acceptable support.
Specific Complaints About Disruptive Noise
The world number 55 detailed several interruptions that she believed affected the flow of play. 'There was a lot of screaming between my first and second serve, and screaming really loud, hoping I make a mistake,' she explained. Putintseva also recalled a particularly disruptive incident during a crucial point: 'In one game, I think it was at 4-3, it was a big point, and I opened the court very well, and I took my forehand, and a guy just started coughing just for my shot.'
Rather than being deterred, the veteran player used these provocations as motivation. 'I was like 'OK, now I'm not going to lose'. I was ready to take it all. I was ready to fight until I die there,' she asserted, showcasing her mental resilience.
Comments on Tennis Education and Etiquette
Putintseva's criticism extended to a broader commentary on spectator knowledge, drawing a distinction between educated tennis fans and those lacking understanding of the sport's conventions. 'What can I do? Some people have an education of tennis, and unfortunately, some do not,' she remarked, implying that the disruptive behaviour stemmed from a lack of awareness about appropriate conduct during live matches.
Overcoming Adversity and Match Conditions
Reflecting on her performance, the Kazakh star emphasised the importance of emotional control in securing the victory. 'The key to winning was keeping my emotions down, because there were too many things going on,' she revealed. Putintseva also praised her opponent and acknowledged the difficult playing environment, noting: 'It was an amazing match, she is a good player and the conditions were tough. It was also very hot, one side is very windy. It was tough to do.'
Looking Ahead to the Next Challenge
With this significant win under her belt, Yulia Putintseva now prepares to face 29th seed Iva Jović on Sunday for a coveted spot in the Australian Open quarter-finals. Her experience in navigating both a skilled opponent and a hostile crowd atmosphere may prove invaluable as she continues her campaign at Melbourne Park, seeking to surpass her previous best performance at the tournament.
