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Yulia Putintseva's seemingly distracting gesture during her clash against Iga Swiatek at the 2024 Indian Wells Open has stirred outrage among tennis fans.
Swiatek and Putintseva locked horns in the fourth round of the WTA 1000 event, with the World No. 1 claiming a dominant 6-1, 6-2 win. The Pole will take on Caroline Wozniacki in a blockbuster quarterfinal showdown as she seeks a second Indian Wells title.
Iga Swiatek and Yulia Putintseva's clash garnered attention after a clip circulated on social media showing Putintseva shuffling her feet as the World No. 1 prepared to serve, which was construed as an attempt to deliberately distract the Pole.
With Swiatek previously being harshly criticized for a similar distracting gesture against Donna Vekic at the 2022 San Diego Open, fans argued that if the roles were reversed, the Pole would have faced severe backlash from the tennis community.
"If Iga did this, the whole TT would (be) up in arms," a fan said.
"But if Iga did that ...," another fan chimed in.
One fan claimed that while Iga Swiatek is criticized for that incident to this day, players like Putintseva escape such scrutiny.
"Never forget that Iga raised her arms during a rally inadvertently like twice three years back, apologised for it and it STILL gets brought up today - whereas grunters and whatever this sh*t is NEVER condemned. Poor girl," the fan posted.
Meanwhile, other fans condemned Putintseva for her gesture, describing it as "pathetic" and "petty."
"Pathetic really," a fan wrote.
"Absolutely petty behavior but seems to got unnoticed," another fan shared.
Here are a few more reactions from fans on Reddit:
"I know that I have to play my best tennis to compete against Iga Swiatek, and that's what I hope to do" - Caroline Wozniacki ahead of Indian Wells QF
Iga Swiatek won her lone previous meeting against Caroline Wozniacki, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, at the 2019 Canadian Open.
Following her fourth-round win over Angelique Kerber, Wozniacki admitted that she's anticipating a completely different match against Swiatek in the Indian Wells quarterfinal.
"No, that's a long time ago, and I think it's not really going to be the same match either.
"I think I have obviously commentated some of her matches. I know how she's playing. Obviously she's playing good tennis, playing powerfully," she said in her post-match press conference.
The Dane said that while she practiced with Iga Swiatek at the 2023 US Open, practice sessions differ greatly from full matches, so she recognizes the need to deliver her best performance to challenge the World No. 1.
"I practiced with her as well a few times after I have come back, during the US Open as well. I know how she plays, but it's one thing knowing how she plays and also playing against her in a full match," she said.
"I know that I have to play my best tennis to compete against her, and that's what I hope to do," she added.
