No discipline in this world is without some form of drama here and there. Tennis is no exception to the rule. With spirits high and extreme focus, arguments can sometimes take place between the matches. With the action in the Canadian Open at an all-time high, a move by Maria Sakkari caused Danielle Collins to speak up, which sparked a heated debate between the two players.
While the current argument died down after an exchange of words, it was reminiscent of a heated debate last year that almost turned physical. The 2022 Hamburg Open saw a potential fistfight between two players after the match was over, which eventually required the umpire to take action.
A tense moment between Danielle Collins and Maria Sakkari in Montreal
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As the players ranked 49th and 8th faced each other, the former led after winning the first set. Collins was also leading in the second set when the tense moment threatened to disrupt the flow of the match. Sakkari served in the fourth game and hit a fault on her first serve. Collins returned as the call was made, and Sakkari slammed the ball into the ground, and it, unfortunately, found its way into the stand.
Sakkari held up her hand as a gesture of apology, but Collins was not happy with no penalty. Collins called out to the umpire and said, “Did you see that? Did you see what happened?” Reasoning with the American player, Sakkari replied, “It didn’t even hit; it didn’t even hit anyone. It was on the ground.” Collins, however, was not over the move yet.
Tense moment at WTA 1000 Montreal tonight between Sakkari and Collins.
I agree with Collins here–the officials need to be way stricter on players recklessly smacking the ball and throwing racquets into the stands.
Should be no looking the other way when that happens. pic.twitter.com/fpsA6MSnm2
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 10, 2023
The aggressive American player, taking her stance to receive the second serve, said, “Shut your mouth. Shut your mouth“. Irritated at the words, Maria Sakkari exclaimed, “What is your problem? I didn’t hit anyone. I framed the ball and it — “. “You hit the ball into the stands, Maria. You almost hit someone,” Collins cut her off before she could continue.
The Greek player once again said, “I didn’t hit anyone. What is your problem? I framed the ball“. The umpire eventually jumped in and calmed the two players before the situation got out of hand. As the players moved on from the heated debate, the match continued, and Collins emerged victorious at 6-4, 6-2.
The two players have met before and have been cordial towards each other. However, an unlikely argument broke out between the two this time. But compared to the 2022 Hamburg Open debate, their discussion will seem tame.
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Umpire’s intervention prevented a brawl at a similar altercation last year
In the 2022 Hamburg Open, several players battled to claim the ultimate prize. Fabio Fognini and Aljaz Bedene played each other in the round of 32, where the Italian player was the victor. As the two stepped up to the net for a handshake, Bedene expressed his annoyance with his opponent.
In response, the Italian Fognini, known for his abrasion and on-court antics, mocked him further. Eventually, their argument heated up. As it threatened to become physical, the umpire has to step in to separate the two players.
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When spirits are high, and hopes are at play, players can become aggressive. Sometimes it can get out of hand, and players tend to break their rackets, among other things. However, actual tussles in tennis are rather rare and are under control promptly.
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