Wimbledon set to begin on Monday
Tennis fans are bracing themselves for a few hot-headed moments during this year's Wimbledon tournament, which gets underway on Monday, after a spate of rows involving players in the build up to the competition.
The courts are heating up already and the famous Grass Court Competition hasn't even begun.
Spanish champion 'Alejandro Davidovitch Fokina' had some choice words for the umpire during his match against 'Jakub Mensik' at the Lexus Eastbourne Open earlier this week, resulting in him throwing his racquet to the ground after losing his cool at the end of the game, which saw his opponant come very close to levelling the match on sets. EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND – JUNE 26: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain plays a backhand against Jakub Mensik of Czechia during the Men's Singles Quarter Final match on Day Four of the Lexus Eastbourne Open at Devonshire Park on June 26, 2025 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo byfor LTA)
The umpire wasn't impressed and proceeded to hand him a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Spaniard couldn't believe it, protesting that the punishment was undeserved and refused to accept the warning, but that still wasn't the end of it, as he went on to tell the umpire that he was the 'worst umpire I've ever seen', and 'I don't know how you sit there'
Fans of the sport could be set for similar scenes in the womens competition with Russian-born Yulia Putintseva also making headlines last week. Putintseva Julia (Kazakstan) during a game against Kudermetova Veronika (Photo by Valya Egorshin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Russian-born star was told 'Nobody likes you' during a frosty post-match exchange with her rival Maria Sakkari, after she refused to look her opponant in the eye while shaking hands post match at the Bad Homberg Open.
Its also reported Putintseva appeared to take issue with Sakkari after match point, telling her to 'go f**k yourself' after giving her a half-hearted handshake at the net.
But an even more notorious incident occured on court in New York last year, when 30-year-old Putintseva, who is world No 34, glared at a young ball girl, when two balls were accidentally thrown to her at the same time, that awkward moment earned her worldwide critisism.
With personalities like these, we can look forward to some exciting and also tense moments at the most highly contested competition of them all, which begins at Centre Court in Wimbledon on Monday (June 30th).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
MMA referee screams at doctors to help as former UFC star carried out of cage after sickening kick to testicles
A REFEREE screamed for help from a doctor after a former UFC star crumpled in agony from a kick to the testicles. Stricken Alexander Romanov had to be carried from the cage on a stretcher after just his second Professional Fighters League (PFL) match. Advertisement 5 Alexander Romanov was in agony after the low kick 5 Romanov crashed to the floor during the first round 5 Valentin Moldavsky appeared distressed at his opponent's fate The Moldovan, aka King Kong, was once a top UFC heavyweight prospect. But the 34-year-old switched to a different Mixed Martial Art earlier this year. And he was closing in on a PFL heavyweight title shot when a sickening blow sent him reeling. Romanov was taking on Russian Valentin Moldavsky, 33, in Chicago. Advertisement READ MORE ON MMA And his eye-watering fate came as early as the opening round. Romanov struggled to seriously trouble Moldavsky, despite landing a few of his renowned slam takedowns. And when the younger man got up, he put on enough pressure to leave King Kong tiring. But little more than 30 seconds were left in the first of the three five-minute rounds when the distressing moment arrived. Advertisement Most read in MMA 5 'King Kong' Romanov could do little but suffer desperately BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The pair were grasping each other on the ropes when Romanov delivered a knee to his opponent. Moldavsky returned the blow in kind - but accidentally went too low. Advertisement Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford in another twist as UFC boss Dana White says he IS promoting super-fight Romanov instantly slumped to the floor, holding his groin - while his rival protested his innocence. The ref yelled for medical aid as Romanov was in obvious agony and fight fans looked on worried. Meanwhile, Moldavsky sunk to his knees, with his head down - apparently in rueful reflection The cage-side doctor dashed over to treat the stricken giant. Advertisement And the doc soon confirmed the inevitable - that Romanov would be unable to continue. The 18st 13lbs wrestler was then taken away on a stretcher. It meant the bout - a PFL heavyweight tournament semi-final - was ruled a "no contest". Romanov had dazzled when winning his only other PFL fight in May, beating 40-year-old American Timothy May by submission. Advertisement It left the East European well placed for a title shot - until a badly placed knee in his very next fight. 5 There was never much doubt the fight was over at this point
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Novak Djokovic gatecrashes Aryna Sabalenka's pre-Wimbledon press conference and awkwardly criticises her
NOVAK DJOKOVIC gatecrashed Aryna Sabalenka 's pre-Wimbledon press conference before offering some constructive criticism. W omen's world No.1 Sabalenka was coming towards the end of her chat when Djokovic surprisingly entered before it was his turn to face reporters in SW19. 5 Novak Djokovic hilariously gatecrashed Aryna Sabalenka's pre-Wimbledon press conference on Saturday 5 Sabalenka, who was in good spirits, asked Djokovic for his opinion on her abilities Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, was told Sabalenka was in the middle of her final response but cheekily informed the press officer that he was going to interrupt his friend's conference. The 24-time Grand Slam winner could be heard whispering: "Come on, let's go, please" with a grin as he shocked Sabalenka with his entrance on Saturday. The pair were filmed during a practice session earlier in the week as Sabalenka looks to win her first Wimbledon and Djokovic goes for an a record-equalling eighth title, alongside Roger Federer. READ MORE TENNIS NEWS Sabalenka, 27, said: "You see guys, come in here then" before asking Djokovic to sit down in her seat, which he refused. The US Open champion then asked Djokovic: "First of all, let me ask a question. What do you think about hitting with me? How do you see my level? Am I good?' Djokovic jokingly responded: "I think you have the potential. You're, like, a really talented player. You have nice strokes, good technique. "Can I be honest? You're lacking intensity on the court . You don't have enough intensity. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "It's too flat. You've got to lighten up a little bit, put some power in it." Sabalenka, holding in laughter, then said: "Really! That's what you are going to say right now? "Before this guy was my favourite player, but not anymore obviously!" British world No719 qualifies for Wimbledon but is BANNED from claiming £66,000 prize money There could be some truth in Djokovic's words of wisdom, as Sabalenka lost the French Open final to Coco Gauff last month. The Belarusian said it "hurt to show such terrible tennis " in what she described as "the worst final I ever played" after losing in three sets to Gauff. In her runners-up speech, the three-time Slam winner added: "'I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes." Meanwhile, Djokovic is seeking a record-extending 25 Grand Slam titles, but at 38 years old knows his time is running out amid the rise of 5 Sabalenka is trying to right her French Open wrongs over the next few weeks Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Djokovic warmed up with Sabalenka and Carlo Alcaraz Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The legendary Serbian said: "'It's great to be back. I love Wimbledon. I've always loved it. I think in the last six editions, I had six finals. "I've been playing very well here, maybe it's been the most consistent Grand Slam for me in the last 10 years. "When I come here, I feel extra inspired to deliver the best tennis . Whether it could be my 'last dance', I'm not sure. My wish is to play for several more years. "I would love to be healthy physically and also mentally motivated to keep on playing at the highest level. That's the goal, but you never know at this stage." 5 Men's singles draw in full Sinner v Nardi Tseng v Vukic Martinez v Loffhagen Navone v Shapovalov Dimitrov v Nishioka Comesana v Moutet Ofner v Medjedovic Monday v Paul Shelton v Bolt Hijikata v Goffin Kovacevic v Fucsovics Monfils v Hubert Nakashima v Ba Schevchenko v Opelka Faria v Sonego Basilashvili v Musetti Draper v Baez Collingnon v Cilic McCabe v Marozsan Munar v Bublik Cobolli v Zhukayev Etcheverry v Pinnington Jones Giron v Ugo Carabelli Gaston v Mesnik De Minaur v Carballes Baena Cazaux v Walton Halys v Holmgren Dzumhur v Machac Michelsen v Kecmanovic De Jong v Eubanks Evans v Clarke Muller v Djokovic Fritz v Mpetshi Perricard Diallo v Altmaier Arnaldi v Van de Zanschulp Holt v Davidovich Fokina Popyrin v Fery Darderi v Safiullin Kopriva v Thompson Bonzi v Medvedev Cerundolo v Borges Harris v Hurkacz Mochizuki v Zeppieri McDonald v Khachanov Berrettini v Majchrzak Quinn v Searle Carreno Busta v Rodesch Rinderknech v Zverev Rune v Jarry Tien v Basavareddy Fearnley v Fonseca Brooksby v Griekspoor Lehecka v Dellien Bellucci v Crawford Norrie v Bautista Agut Moller v Tiafoe Rublev v Djere Bergs v Harris Mannarino v O'Connell Royer v Tsitsipas Auger-Aliassime v Duckworth Struff v Misolic Tarvet v Riedi Fognini v Alcaraz
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Andy Farrell hails Ireland star for ‘showing what Lions should do for teammates' with ‘play of the day' vs Western Force
ANDY FARRELL believes Mack Hansen showed "what a Lion should do for his teammates" with one critical moment against the Western Force. The Lions kicked off their tour of Australia with a 1 Mack Hansen in action for the Lions against Western Force Credit: Steve Christo/Sportsfile Connacht winger However, the Lions head coach singled out the Aussie-born star for contributing the "play of the day" late on. After a Josh van der Flier error, the Force threatened to break away for a try. Hansen charged back to gather position and kick clear, before chasing his own kick and forcing a knock-on and winning his side a try. Read More on Lions Speaking to Sky Sports, "But the play of the day, if you want to look what a Lion should do for his teammates was when Mack Hansen went up and down the field, end-to-end, never gave up, and fought for his teammate. "That's the type of spirit that we want throughout the team. So a nice example there." Hansen's stellar showing from the start on Saturday came after he was brought on off the bench in the defeat to Most read in Rugby Union And it came 12 years after he was watching the Lions from the stands, only on that occasion, he was The Canberra-raised ace was 15 when dad Craig took him to watch local outfit the Brumbies take on Warren Gatland's side during the 2013 tour. 'Cried like a baby didn't ya-' - Watch Andy Farrell embarrass Ireland star over reaction to Lions call-up Hansen, who played for the Brumbies from 2018-2021, went wild in the stands as a Lions team including Ireland trio Rob Kearney, Seán O'Brien and Rory Best were downed 14-12. The 27-year-old said: 'It seems like an alternative universe. I remember the buzz around 'It was amazing. "I always loved the Lions and I didn't know it would be something that I'd get to do — but I'm here and I'm enjoying it. It feels like I'm properly living the dream. 'We were sitting behind the goalposts watching it. It was mad. 'I talked to guys after that and they'd been pumped up for the game for weeks, working towards it. 'They saw it as the be-all and end-all. "Also, guys are playing to try to get into the Wallabies as well, so there's still a lot on the line for a lot of these teams.'
