Latvia’s Elena Ostapenko has spoken out about her on-court conflict with Russian opponent Anna Kalinskaya during their match at the Rome tournament. During the encounter, Ostapenko was heard swearing and calling Kalinskaya a “simulator.” The two players also did not shake hands after the match.
Kalinskaya ultimately fell short, as Ostapenko secured a decisive victory with a score of 6:1, 6:2.
“I was prepared for all kinds of simulations, calls for the physio, and everything else. She’s a crafty player who tries to throw you off your rhythm when she starts losing. But the most important thing is that I’m really proud of myself for handling it all, dropping only three games and playing a truly solid match. I think there are so many great players here, and we respect each other. I know I can be emotional on court, but at the end of the day, I respect my opponents,” Ostapenko said in remarks carried by the WTA’s official website.