Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend’s clash during the 2025 US Open was the latest in a long list of intense exchanges witnessed by fans throughout tennis history.
After losing to Townsend, Ostapenko launched into a tirade at the net, accusing the American of being ‘very disrespectful’ after apparently failing to apologise for a point won on a net cord.
Townsend, who said Ostapenko had branded her with the tag of having ‘no education,’ later added that she was not surprised by Ostapenko’s behaviour.
This is far from the first occasion two players have clashed at the net on the tennis court, and it won’t be the last.
That being said, it is worth taking a look back at some of the most famous, or rather infamous, clashes at the net in tennis history.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesYulia Putintseva vs. Maria Sakkari – 2025 Bad Homburg
The most recent high-profile clash came during the 2025 Bad Homburg Open.
Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva and Greece’s Maria Sakkari faced off, with Sakkari claiming victory 7-5 7-6.
However, it was the post-match scenes that grabbed the attention of those watching. After Putintseva said something to Sakkari during the handshake, Sakkari was heard to say “when you shake hands with someone, look them in the eyes,” before adding, “nobody likes you.”
Sakkari spoke about the incident in her on-court interview. As per Sky Sports, she said: “I don’t think she’s going to invite me for dinner for the rest of our lives, but I don’t care.
“I have very good friends and I’ll go to dinner with them. Let me leave it here, and just say that I have respect for her as a player, but that’s it.”
Putintseva later responded on Instagram, saying: “By the way – not that I care – I shook her hand as most women do. Clearly not according to the ‘hugging protocol’ some men seem to follow.”
Daniil Medvedev vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas – 2018 Miami Open
In 2018, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas met for the first time on the ATP Tour. Medvedev won the contest 2-6 6-4 6-2.
After the match, the pair clashed, with Medvedev seemingly upset about an apparent comment made by Tsitsipas at the net and the Greek player’s emergency toilet break during the decisive third set.
Medvedev has gone on to dominate their rivalry, winning 10 of the 14 matches they have played.
Novak Djokovic vs. Fabio Fognini – 2013 Shanghai Masters
After Novak Djokovic defeated Fabio Fognini at the 2013 Shanghai Masters, the Serbian star initiated a particularly firm handshake at the net.
Following a 6-3 6-3 victory, Djokovic shook Fognini’s hand while pulling the Italian swiftly towards him.
Djokovic would go on to win the entire tournament, defeating Juan Martin del Potro in the final.
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesAndre Agassi vs. Boris Becker – 1995 US Open
Andre Agassi and Boris Becker faced off 14 times during their careers, with Agassi claiming victory on 10 of those occasions.
On one particular occasion, the 1995 US Open semi-finals, Agassi defeated Becker 7-6 7-6 4-6 6-4. After the match, Agassi seemed less than impressed with Becker, displaying a clear lack of warmth towards his opponent during their handshake.
In his post-match press conference, Agassi explained the reason behind this, saying: “Honestly, I will tell you I have shown nothing but respect towards Boris my entire career,” Andre Agassi said.
“He beat me the first three times we played. I never talked about anything, but what a great champion he was. I beat him eight times in a row, I never said anything, but what a great champion he is.
“After he beat me this year at Wimbledon, he said some things that bothered me on a very personal level. It is hard for me to respect anybody who is going to beat me and say so many things that are not only wrong, but meant to hurt.
Photo by Bongarts/Getty Images
“I don’t understand that and I don’t respect it. It is real simple, I respect his tennis play but once a match is over, you know, it ends there.”
Becker won their 1995 Wimbledon semi-final clash, before losing to Pete Sampras in the final.
At the US Open, Agassi would go on to lose in the final, again to Pete Sampras.