Indian Wells is called the unofficial fifth Grand Slam, and with it brings the drama and controversy of an enormous event.
The second-round conflict between Donna Vekic and Lesia Tsurenko was no exception, with Tsurenko coming again to win in a shock upset over the world No. 23.
Watch Tennis Reside with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. Reside Protection of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments together with Each Finals Match. New to Kayo? Begin your free trial now >
Tsurenko, ranked ninety fifth on this planet, needed to qualify for Indian Wells this 12 months, however got here again from a first-set 2-6 loss to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Publish-match formalities have been frosty, nonetheless, with Vekic refusing to shake fingers.
The Croatian packed her luggage and left the courtroom rapidly with out acknowledging Tsurenko.
Social media blew up over the Monterrey Open winner’s snub, with followers on Twitter calling it “poor sportsmanship”.
“Backstory doesn’t matter,” mentioned one fan.
“Vekic ought to have shook Tsurenko’s hand after the match.”
One other mentioned it was “full disrespect”.
“Being a sore loser is one factor, however refusing a handshake is a whole disrespect in the direction of the opponent.
“Utterly unacceptable.”
A fan account for Donna Vekic on Twitter mentioned that Tsurenko had been “appearing like (she was) about to retire after each level to sluggish the sport”, and that she’d been “doing it for years.”
Broadcaster David Regulation mentioned Vekic “was not having any of it right this moment” on the Tennis Podcast.
“She saved that depth even after the match had concluded. What a competitor,” he mentioned.
Tsurenko has misplaced by retirement or walkover in eight of the final 17 WTA tournaments she’s competed in since final 12 months’s Masters.
