American tennis legend Serena Williams once played an interesting match against former Serbian tennis star Jelena Jankovic. It was not the match but the on-court antics of Jelena that caught the eye of the spectators and the fans. While Serena won the match with ease, Jankovic was not happy when she felt Serena raised her racket while she served.
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Although it didn’t look like a big matter, Jankovic refused to let go of it. The video of the incident resurfaced on the internet recently. Here’s what happened.
Fans react as an old match video of Serena Williams’ and Jelena Jankovic’s on-court scuffle resurfaced
The incident happened back in 2014, during quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Open Tennis Championships. Serena Williams was facing Jelena Jankovic. In the second set of the match, the Serb had an issue with Serena while serving. She complained to the chair umpire about the same and wasn’t happy with Serena taking time during her service game.
I need one more Serena-JJ match to happen. Also the commentator saying “oh do shut up Jelena” I never noticed 😭 pic.twitter.com/Fg69Yv64A1
— Qinwenation (@IdemoAna) December 19, 2022
However, the umpire, at last, convinced her to go back and serve. The crowd present at the stadium thoroughly enjoyed the scene. Later, Serena won the match quite convincingly. Recently, the video of that incident resurfaced on the internet. Here’s how fans reacted to it.
The way I woulda put my racquet down and took off my earrings.. https://t.co/dQDxSbMDfp
— Lewdog (@lewdog73) December 19, 2022
That tap on the shoulder at the end 🫠 Nice try! https://t.co/4uhqV8s4HU
— Gabrielle Gilmore ❥ (@Eneekonese) December 19, 2022
I’m wheezing at JJ still not giving a F after serena said something and going to the umpire sksjksksks https://t.co/3mnBsHeWEL
— Tezza ❗️ (@RezzaTezza) December 19, 2022
Recalling the intense tennis rivalry of old times, a fan wrote,
When the girls shade each other off the court and it made its way to the courts… TENNIS would be played. Lmaooo I miss these. https://t.co/6E4UdtQ2hO
— Tshepo (@TshepoL_) December 19, 2022
Lmao I also actually never noticed. Her outing her racket on Jelena's back at the net always cracks me up lmao.
Also during this era the last thing you ever wanted to do was piss my girl off, just didn't end well for the aggressor😭 https://t.co/TSxWYSA6jS
— Ńaledzani (@Sithasomlilo) December 19, 2022
“We’re really going to do this again Jelena? You know I’m not the one!” https://t.co/7rfjchBRWg
— Chris Fisher (@Chris_A_Fisher) December 19, 2022
the og drama queens, this match up was peak chaotic neutral mess https://t.co/UNOywOVRwD
— LEWIS HAMILTON THE KING (@JankovicWonIW15) December 19, 2022
For real a series of exo would be epic. Also the fact this is happening at 2/6 2/5 40all cracks me up time and time again
— Tony (@tjc05) December 19, 2022
It wasn’t gamesmanship. Why tf would she need gamesmanship when she was up a set and a break at deuce?
— Jamerson. (@HeIsJamerson) December 20, 2022
JJ was a spicy one. Total antithesis to Ana Ivanovic back in the day.
— PhineMotorSkills (@rdmtennisfan) December 19, 2022
Their matches were always full of sparks and so fun to watch, 😂😂😂🤣🤣!!!
— Isa 🇧🇯 🇺🇲 🏳️🌈🌎🌊 (@isa_sych) December 19, 2022
i miss JJ😪
— Serena's snatched wig (@Danidilo2) December 19, 2022
While there was a huge gap between the level of both the players, what made them common was their aggression. Although Serena was a big player, Jelena never cared about the big name tag and always played a fierce brand of tennis.
On the other hand, Serena was always good when she was charged up. In all, it was always exciting to see them compete and the tennis world is missing it now as both players have retired from professional tennis.
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Serena vs Jelena Jankovic head to head
Serena and Jelena played 14 matches against each other. While Williams dominated the contest, according to the official site of the WTA. The 23-time Grand Slam champion won 10 out of the fourteen times, Jelena won four. Although the records suggest that Serena completely outclassed the Serb, it fails to show the actual competitiveness these two brought to the court.
What are your thoughts on the on-court bust-up between Serena and Jankovic in 2014? Do you have a favorite Serena vs Jankovic match? Let us know in the comments.
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