Fans React to Mirra Andreeva Losing to Madison Keys and Refusing to Shake Umpire’s Hand Following Racket Controversy: “She Will Learn to Keep Her Outbursts in Check as She Gets Older”

Mirra Andreeva of Russia may be just 16 years of age, but she has managed to grab the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Andreeva lost her Round of 16 match to USA’s Madison Keys in the women’s singles event at the Wimbledon 2023 Championships. However, the manner in which the loss transpired, has somehow overshadowed some otherwise good tennis played this year.

Andreeva made headlines around the world in a controversy which involved her receiving a penalty from the chair umpire for ‘unsportsmanlike behavior’. This was a matter of two different points played out in the match, i.e., in the second and the third set respectively which resulted in tempers flaring. The Russian was frustrated at coming second during some big moments of the match and that costed her not just a win, but also reputation.

Was Mirra Andreeva correct in reacting angrily over the umpire’s call?

Andreeva may be more guilty than thought otherwise, though fans still remain divided about this issue. The 25th seed just flinged her racquet towards her own kit bag after losing a vital point in the second set after leading 4-1, which could have otherwise got her closer to finishing off the match. However, that set went into a tie break as that moment as well as the umpire’s stern warning that followed, clearly played on her mind.

Andreeva has shown her emotions excessively in the earlier rounds as well, which has made many already question her temperament. In this match, she had another instance of violation of ‘Code of Conduct’ according to the chair umpire since she ‘apparently’ threw her racquet again in anger over losing a point in a game which she somehow got to deuce in the third set, as she was trailing 2-5.

Furious with the umpire, Andreeva lashed out at her –

“Do you understand what you are doing? I didn’t throw the racquet. I slid. It’s the wrong decision. I slid and then I fell.”

The match eventually ended soon but what followed perhaps tarnished a competitive game as Andreeva did shake hands with her opponent, but not with the umpire.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Andreeva has got into trouble for her on-court behavior. In the French Open last month, it was in the third round where she lost to another American, Coco Gauff but was disqualified by the chair umpire for smacking the ball with her racquet furiously into the stands and that ball hurt a spectator quite badly. Andreeva immediately drew comparisons with Novak Djokovic, who was also disqualified from the US Open 2020 quarterfinal for allegedly hurling the ball towards a lady line judge in frustration after losing an important point.

Andreeva controversy and reactions

The rules of the game have always been up for discussion with many claiming that tennis is by nature an aggressive sport which takes a toll on a player mentally and physically when it is professional and competitive. As a result, some showing of emotion should be allowed. On the other hand, another section of fans believe that tennis players are not just sportspersons, but role models to billions of viewers worldwide, many of whom are impressionable youngsters. So being ambassadors of the game as well, they need to be responsible with their behavior.

There have been a few voices questioning the chair umpire and further than that, the Wimbledon Championships’ ethics altogether for perhaps being biased with their draws and decisions towards the ‘Western bloc’ of players because of politics with Russia. Here are some fan reactions to the incident –