Yulia Putintseva's ball kid controversy at US Open continues as video goes viral; Kazakh misbehaving gets labeled 'typical Russian behavior'

Yulia Putintseva's controversy involving a ball girl at the 2024 US Open continues as the video has gone viral. She also was called out for exhibiting 'typical Russian behavior' by Pekka Kallioniemi, founder of "The Soup Central" on X (formerly Twitter).

The Kazakh found herself in a controversy during the third-round match against Jasmine Paolini at Flushing Meadows. During the match, a ball girl approached her to toss the ball, as per the rules. But instead of catching the balls, Putintseva let them bounce away in indifference.

The Louis Armstrong stadium crowd responded in kind and booed her for her behavior. The video has now gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), garnering upward of 500,000 views with more than 8,500 likes.

Putintseva used to play for Russia till 2012, after which she changed her allegiance to Kazakhstan.

"Typical Russian behavior from Yulia Putintseva - when losing, take it out on the ball girl," Pekka Kallioniemi wrote on X alluding to her country of birth.

Watch the video below:

Tennis World did not take her actions lightly, as many prominent personalities such as Boris Becker, Serena Williams' ex-coach Rennae Stubbs, and former World No. 12 Feliciano Lopez called her out. Many fans and journalists also took to social media to voice their anger.

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Yulia Putintseva apologizes for the US Open controversy after receiving backlash from the tennis world

Yulia Putintseva apologized to the US Open ball girl (Image: Getty)

Yulia Putintseva has issued an apology for her unjust behavior with the ball girl during the third-round match against Jasmine Paolini at the 2024 US Open. The World No. 32 took to Instagram and said that her frustrations were not directed at the ball girl and was rather disappointed with herself for not converting the breakpoint.

"I want to apologize to the ball girl for the way I was, when she was giving me balls. Honestly speaking it was not about her. I was really pissed at myself by not winning the game from the break point," Putintseva wrote.

The Kazakh praised the ball kids at the US Open for their 'amazing' work.

"Got empty with my emotions and deep in my thoughts, that I was not even focusing on what's going on and who gives me the ball... all the ball kids were doing amazing as always at the Open," she added.

Source- Yulia Putintseva's Instagram handle

Putintseva's 2024 Grand Slam campaign ended with a third-round exit at the 2024 US Open. Her best result of the year came at Wimbledon, where she reached the fourth round.