A heated exchange occurred at the end of
Maria Sakkari and
Yulia Putintseva's entertaining contest at the 2025
Bad Homburg Open.
Sakkari and Putintseva have endured challenging seasons. Each player was probably pretty happy to draw the other in the opening round in Bad Homburg, since it was a realistic opportunity for both players to get a valuable win.
Putintseva enjoyed an excellent grass-court swing in 2024, winning the Birmingham Open and
defeating Iga Swiatek at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. She undoubtedly hoped to find a spark and reignite her season during this year's period on the surface.
The 2025 Wimbledon Championships will be Putintseva's last chance of achieving that after Sakkari overcame her 7-5, 7-6 in Bad Homburg. It could have gone to a decider, but the Greek edged the tiebreak 8-6.
Putintseva is known for her antics on the court that sometimes wind opponents up. Despite triumphing, Sakkari could not resist voicing her displeasure with the Kazakhstani at the net afterward.
The heated moment can be watched in the video below. Sakkari started by saying something to Putintseva as she walked away after a cold handshake, although it cannot be heard because of the commentator and crowd making noise.
When Putintseva responded, Sakkari asked her beaten opponent to treat her like a human being. The 30-year-old fired back that she had treated Sakkari like a human, and clearly did not feel guilty for anything she did during the match.
Sakkari walked over to Putintseva's chair after being further incited by a remark from her, but that exchange is also difficult to hear. The 2021 French Open semifinalist then turned her back, but went back again after hearing another comment she did not like.
Enraged by whatever Putintseva had done during the match and her comments afterward, Sakkari told the 2024 Birmingham Classic winner that nobody liked her and directed more fiery remarks afterward.
Putintseva sarcastically thanked and saluted Sakkari as she walked off the court. The Greek put a finger to her lips and turned around, putting an end to one of the angriest confrontations of 2025 so far.
Although those who watched the match and the exchange can make up their own minds about who is right, Sakkari has a reputation for being among the most affable players on the
WTA Tour. Putintseva has friends in the women's game, but splits opinion much more.
In an on-court interview after the match, Sakkari admitted she would never have dinner with Putintseva. The former world No. 3 said she respected her as a player, but not as a person.
Amanda Anisimova and Mirra Andreeva's exchange at the 2025 Miami Open was another notable moment this season. Andreeva accused her American opponent of feigning an injury in the middle of a game to break the match's momentum.
After the match, Anisimova showed the painful blister on her finger, which led to the break in play. She was unhappy with the 18-year-old's accusation, and the next match between the pair promises to be fascinating.