Watch: ‘Sore Loser’ Jelena Ostapenko’s cold handshake with Elena Rybakina after thrashing in Italian Open didn’t sit well with tennis fans

Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko have a brief and strained handshake, followed by a conversation between the two players

Watch: ‘Sore Loser’ Jelena Ostapenko’s cold handshake with Elena Rybakina after thrashing in Italian Open didn’t sit well with tennis fans

Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko (Image via WTA)

Elena Rybakina faced off against Jelena Ostapenko in the semi-finals of the 2023 Italian Open. Elena Rybakina won the match and advanced to her third WTA 1000 final of the season. The match ended with a score of 6-2, 6-4 in favor of Elena Rybakina.

Elena Rybakina’s victory has guaranteed her place in the Top 5 of the WTA rankings after the upcoming update. If she manages to win the final, she will secure a top-four seeding at the 2023 Roland Garros. The Tennis Letter shared a video of Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko shaking their hands with the caption,” Interesting handshake between Elena Rybakina and Jelena Ostapenko in Rome. It looks like Elena told the umpire to tell Jelena something.”

YouTube video

The players shared a cold and quick handshake. They were also seen sharing a few words. After this Rybakina spoke to the chair umpire and seemingly pointed towards Jelena Ostapenk.It could be understood that Rybakina was signaling the umpire to address Jelena Ostapenko.In the post-match interview, Rybakina spoke about herself rather than mentioning her opponent.

FS Video

She said, “Yeah, I think it’s just overall all the years of experience and also adapting. Like I know the places where I go, so it’s a little bit easier. Also preparation with the team. The team is bigger this year especially. I have a fitness coach with me for a lot of tournaments. The physio, coach is always with me. Yeah, I think it’s always just good work that we did.”

This is gaining some attention as the tennis world wants to know what exactly happened. Sharinga awide spectrum of reactions online, here’s what fans have to say:

Furthermore, Rybakina’s coach, Stefano Vukov mentioned that he heard Ostapenko call Rybakina ‘a b*tch’.The Latvian player and World No.20 was seen saying something to Rybakina but it was not audible at all. Rybakina did not seem phased by any of it and focused on her game, resulting in her victory.

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Elena Rybakina set to face Anhelina Kalinina in the 2023 Italian Open Final

Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina (Image via Tennis World)

Elena Rybakina faces off against Anhelina Kalinina this Saturday, May 20. Elena Rybakina was the 7th seed and Anhelina Kalinina was the 30th. They have faced each other only once. It was during Charleston last year when Rybakina lost to Kalinina.

Rybakina said that she had a good relationship with her opponent for the final. “Actually she used to work with my coach. We just have a good relationship. I’m always cheering for her also. Same, whenever I win, she’s always supporting me. We have a good relationship. I’m happy that we’re going to play a final,” Rybakina said.

Rybakina seemed happy that she made it to the finals and had so many matches before the Roland-Garros. She was also glad to face Anhelina Kalinina in the finals.

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