A fiery confrontation erupted at the Bad Homburg Open in Germany on Sunday when Maria Sakkari told opponent Yulia Putintseva "nobody likes you" following their third-round match.
The Greek player secured victory in straight sets, 7-5 7-6, but tensions flared immediately after the customary handshake at the net.
Sakkari appeared to take exception to the brief handshake from the Kazakhstani player, pursuing her to the bench to continue the heated exchange.
The wild card entry was overheard instructing Putintseva to act "like a human being" during the row, which shocked spectators at Centre Court.
Maria Sakkari confronted Yulia Putintseva at the net before the matter escalated
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Putintseva insisted she had behaved appropriately, but the argument escalated when she appeared to tell Sakkari to "go f*** herself" and gestured for her to move away.
Much of the exchange was inaudible due to music playing at the venue.
But Sakkari was heard returning moments later saying "F***ing hell, I'm what?" before repeatedly declaring: "Nobody likes you!"
The Greek player instructed Putintseva to "look at the other person in the eye" when shaking hands after matches.
The umpire attempted to defuse the situation, saying "Ladies, please," but Putintseva responded with a sarcastic curtsy before leaving the court.
The incident adds to Putintseva's controversial reputation following an ugly moment at last year's US Open.
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During her defeat to Jasmine Paolini, footage showed a ball girl attempting to throw balls towards Putintseva ahead of her serve, but the player ignored them and stared back without moving.
The 30-year-old let the balls hit her and bounce away, leaving the youngster in an awkward position before eventually catching the third ball.
The incident occurred when Putintseva was down 4-2 in the second set, and she was loudly booed by the crowd for what many viewed as disrespectful behaviour towards the ball girl.
Putintseva twice apologised for her "terrible behaviour" at the US Open, insisting she was "p***ed" at herself rather than the ball girl.
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Oh my goodness! Scenes at the end of match handshake, as the wildcard @mariasakkari beats Putintseva at the WTA 500 Bad Homburg.
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) June 22, 2025
Sakarri not putting up with Putintsevas antics and says that's why nobody likes you.
You don't mess with Maria Sakkari! 👀pic.twitter.com/WACetqL1yo
"I was just playing tennis and lost a tough game, which was very close (in my opinion) to turn that match around," she wrote on social media, explaining she was "deep in my thoughts" and didn't notice the ball girl.
She acknowledged her on-court temperament, admitting: "I am getting angry on court, p***ed, saying stupid stuff and curse like no tomorrow sometimes. Guilty for that."
The player described herself as "a gangster on court, but like an angel off court."
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