Yulia Putintseva is serving up an apology.
The tennis player said she’s sorry for the way she acted towards a ball girl at the 2024 US Open.
The viral moment occurred during Putintseva’s match against Jasmine Paolini on Aug. 31. As seen in videos shared on social media, a ball girl supplied the 29-year-old with tennis balls so she could serve. But after the ball girl threw her a ball, Putintseva didn’t move and just let it bounce to the side. So, the ball girl tried again. However, the same thing happened. It wasn’t until the ball girl’s third throw that Putintseva caught the ball and proceeded to play.
The athlete received criticism for her behavior—both from the crowd (who could be heard booing in the videos) and from social media users.
“I feel bad for the ball girl,” one user on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote on Sept. 1, “I can't believe yulia had this attitude.” Added another, “So rude and disrespectful!”
Shortly after the match—which Paolini won—Putintseva issued an apology.
"I want to apologize to the ball girl for the way I was, when she was giving me balls," she wrote in a since expired Instagram Stories post, per a screenshot shared by Sports Illustrated. "Honestly speaking it was not about her. I was really pissed at myself by not winning the game from the breakpoint and then got empty with my emotions and deep in my thoughts, that I was not even focusing on what’s going on and who gives me the ball...All the ball kids was doing amazing as always at the open.”
Paolini went on to play in the next round but lost to Karolína Muchová Sept. 2.
The 2024 U.S. Open runs until Sept. 8. To see photos of stars who’ve headed to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY for all the action, keep reading.
Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce
The two shared a sweet moment on day 14 of the tournament.
Simone Biles
The Olympic gymnast's attendance at the women's singles quarterfinal match was a perfect 10.
Bad Bunny
Matthew McConaughey & Camila Alves McConaughey
Laverne Cox
The story the Live From E! host was telling with this outfit? That she was ready to watch some tennis at the U.S. Open.
Penn Badgley
Jason Bateman
The Arrested Development actor was captivated by the game on Sept. 4.
Chord Overstreet
The actor made a gleeful appearance at the Cadillac Suite on Zero Bond Night during the U.S. Open.
Justin Theroux & Nicole Brydon Bloom
Dwyane Wade
The former NBA player had a slam dunk of a night.
Orlando Bloom
Yo ho, yo ho—it's the tennis life for the Pirates of the Caribbean star.
Stephen Curry & Ayesha Curry
Busy Philipps
The Girls5eva star was pretty busy on Sept. 3, catching a match from the Maestro Dobel Tequila suite inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Jason Sudeikis
The Ted Lasso star was anything but a goldfish as he was interviewed in the stands on Sept. 2.
Shonda Rhimes, Tony Goldwyn & Scott Foley
A Scandal reunion at the U.S. Open? It's handled.
Cynthia Erivo & Lena Waithe
The Wicked star and the Master of None actress were quite pop-u-lar on Sept. 2.
Tommy Dorfman
You don't need 13 reasons to hit up the Maestro Dobel Tequila suite inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Just ask the actress.
Ellen Pompeo & Chris Ivery
The Grey's Anatomy star and her husband aced their U.S. Open date on Sept. 1.
Hugh Jackman
The Greatest Showman star enjoyed a great showing of tennis on Aug. 31.
Grace Van Patten & Jackson White
The Tell Me Lies couple stepped out for a date night on Aug. 31.
Questlove
It was love-all with the Roots musician inside the Moët & Chandon suite at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Yvonne Orji & Carmelo Anthony
The Insecure star was anything but self-conscious when she snapped a selfie with the retired NBA player Aug. 29.
Anna Chlumsky
The Veep alum elected for a green plaid dress for her U.S. Open outing.
Arielle Kebbel
The Vampire Diaries alum had a fang-tastic time inside the Heineken suite at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Taye Diggs
The Private Practice actor was digging his Maestro Dobel Tequila cocktail before the start of a match.
Jessica Biel
The actress was in seventh heaven during a match on Aug. 28.
Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor
The couple had a date night at the m̶u̶s̶e̶u̶m̶ court.
Liz Gillies
It was a victorious outing for the Nickeloeon alum on Aug. 28.
Thomas Doherty
From the Upper East Side to the U.S. Open, the Gossip Girl actor hit the blue carpet.
Kerry Washington
The Scandal star handled this family outing like a pro, bringing her mom Valerie Washington to the tennis tournament on Aug. 26.