Ajla Tomljanovic accused Jelena Ostapenko of gamesmanship and ‘lying’ before defeating the former French Open champion 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the third round of Wimbledon on Saturday.
The Australian had started taking control of the match after winning the second set and storming to a 4-0 lead in the decider.
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But that’s when Ostapenko, who won the French Open in 2017, asked for a medical timeout.
Exchange of words at the net between the winner Alja Tomljanovich and the ousted Jelena Ostapenko.
Here for the handshake #Wimbledon https://t.co/aS6t08rs9p
— Anne-Marie Batson (@AnnemarieBatson) July 3, 2021
“You know she’s lying, right? We all know,” Tomljanovic was heard telling the umpire.
“Are you taking into consideration that she looked fine for an hour & 20 & now there’s an ‘acute injury’?”
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“She cannot tell you what to do,” Ostapenko shot back at the umpire.
The Latvian’s move was seen as gamesmanship, of feigning injury to disrupt her opponent’s rhythm. World No 75 Tomljanovic demanded the supervisor be called out to sort out the situation.
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But Ostapenko was allowed to take a medical timeout, as is within the rules, and the match resumed after an 11-minute break.
The Australian brushed that off to win the third set 6-2 and equalling her best result at a major.
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The two players, however, continued to have a go at each other even after the match. News agency Reuters reported the following conversation:
Ostapenko: “If you think I’m faking it, you can talk with the physio.”
Tomljanovic: “I hope you feel better.”
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Ostapenko: “Your behaviour is terrible. You have zero respect.”
Tomljanovic: “You are the one to talk.”
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Ostapenko: “What? So bad, so bad. You’re the worst player on Tour.”
Tomljanovic, who made the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time, will take on British teenage wildcard Emma Raducanu in the last 16.
