Picture Credit: Twitter
Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari and American tennis pro Danielle Collins got into a heated argument during the Canadian Open clash on August 10, Thursday. The game saw Collins securing a 6-4, 6-2 win over the eighth-seeded Sakkari. While the 28–year-old Greek had received a walkover to the round of 32, Collins was coming on the back of a win over Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.
After dominating the first set, when the 29-year-old was continuing her lead in the second round, called out her rival for hitting the ball in the crowd. Sakkari had accidentally hit the ball outside the court, which ended up bouncing in the crowd. Though the World Number 8 instantly raised her hand in apology, Collins asked the umpire if she saw what Sakkari had done.
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The former World No. 7 said, “Did you just see that? Did you see what happened?” The Athens-born responded and clarified that the ball didn’t even hit anyone. She said, “It didn’t even hit…It didn’t even hit anyone. It was on the ground.” However, Collins, who was in no mood to listen to her Greek rival immediately asked her to shut her mouth. The American said, “Shut your mouth. Shut your mouth.”
Sakkari continued to argue and said, “What is your problem? I didn’t hit anyone. I framed the ball.” Collins then claimed that she almost hit anyone. She said, “You hit the ball in stands Maria; the ball almost hit someone.” Before things got any worse, the chair umpire intervened and asked them to continue the game.
With her win over Sakkari, the Florida-born booked her spot in the next round of the Canadian Open 2023.
