American tennis star Danielle Collins found herself at the center of a disturbing incident during her match against Poland’s Magda Linette at the Mubadala Citi DC Open. In what was already a high-stakes contest, tensions escalated further when a heckler repeatedly targeted Collins with inflammatory remarks during the first set.
As Collins sat on her bench during a changeover, a man from the stands began hurling provocative accusations at her. Among the most egregious comments, he shouted, “I knew you were a racist when I saw you on TV.” The statement, loud enough to draw attention from nearby spectators, clearly rattled the 2022 Australian Open finalist. Despite the mental disruption, Collins tried to stay composed and focused on the match.
Tournament officials and security quickly intervened, identifying and removing the heckler from the premises shortly after the incident. The match then resumed without further disruptions.
Despite her efforts to regroup, Collins ultimately lost the match in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, to the experienced Linette. The loss marked a disappointing end to her campaign in Washington, but the ugly episode during the match left a more troubling imprint than the result itself.
The Mubadala Citi DC Open, known for its strong lineup and enthusiastic crowd, now faces questions about fan behavior and the measures in place to protect players from verbal harassment. As tennis continues to reckon with the need for safe and respectful environments, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges still ahead.
'Nobody Likes You': Maria Sakkari And Yulia Putintseva Involved In Heated Handshake Drama At Bad Homburg Open; Video
Maria Sakkari and Yulia Putintseva were involved in a fiery exchange after their first-round match at the Bad Homburg Open, which Sakkari won in straight sets, 7–5, 7–6(6). The tension exploded during the handshake, turning a routine end-of-match moment into headline drama.
After the match ended, Putintseva gave Sakkari a cold handshake and a sarcastic bow, avoiding eye contact. Sakkari didn’t take it lightly. She immediately told Putintseva, “Just be like a human being. When you shake hands with someone, look them in the eyes.” As things got more intense, Sakkari then said, “Nobody likes you.” Putintseva, instead of responding with words, bowed again with sarcasm and walked away.
Later in her on-court interview, Sakkari confirmed the tension. She said, “I don’t think she’s going to invite me for dinner for the rest of our lives, but I don’t care.” However, she did add, “I have respect for her as a player, but that’s it.”
This isn’t the first time Putintseva has been involved in awkward post-match moments, and the latest one with Sakkari has gone viral. The dramatic finish gave fans a glimpse into how emotional and intense professional tennis can get even after the final point.
