"Backstory doesn’t matter, very poor sportsmanship" - Tennis fans react as Donna Vekic refuses handshake with Lesia Tsurenko at Indian Wells

The Indian Wells second-round clash between Donna Vekic and Lesia Tsurenko had plenty of entertainment but also a bitter ending, as the two players did not shake hands after the match. Tsurenko reached out to greet Vekic after securing the shock win, but the latter snubbed the gesture and quickly packed her bags and left the court, much to the surprise of those watching.

Vekic, who won the Monterrey Open last week, took the opening set rather convincingly against Tsurenko on Friday. But Tsurenko, who came through the qualifiers at Indian Wells 2023, mounted a stunning comeback to eventually win 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Their Indian Wells Round of 64 clash was a rematch of their first-rounder at the Monterrey Open, where it was Tsurenko who won the opening set 6-2. However, she retired from the match with Vekic leading 5-0 in the second set.

The no-handshake act at Indian Wells did not go down well with the tennis fan community. While some claimed Vekic might have been irked by Tsurenko overplaying her injury issues during the match, others opined that irrespective of the circumstances, refusing a handshake displays a lack of sportsmanship.

"Backstory doesn’t matter, Vekic should have shaken Tsurenko’s hand after the match. V poor sportsmanship," a fan expressed on Twitter.

"Being a sore loser is one thing but refusing a handshake is a complete disrespect towards the opponent. Totally unacceptable," another fan wrote.

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans to the incident involving Donna Vekic and Lesia Tsurenko at Indian Wells:

Donna Vekic's impressive start to 2023 halted by Indian Wells loss

Donna Vekic in action during the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2023.

Donna Vekic's early loss at Indian Wells was unexpected after the Croatian star's superb start to the 2023 season.

Vekic reached the Australian Open quarterfinals for the first time in her career, before losing to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. The 26-year-old then reached the quarterfinals of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz.

Her best result came at the Monterrey Open last week, where she won her fourth career singles title, beating world No. 5 Caroline Garcia in the final.

This season Vekic has been working with 22-time doubles Grand Slam champion Pam Shriver, who has become a permanent part of her coaching team. The Croat will now turn her focus towards the Miami Open.