Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Ostapenko: Why does anger continue to cook on us?

DAniel Altmaier had nothing to say anymore. Just after one of the biggest victories of his career, the German was unconsciously on the receiving side of the anger of Stefanos Tsitsipas during their handshake on the net. Before Tsitsipas could end, Altmaier had run away from the net and refused to attempt to argue with him.

Altmaier shrugs at the first mention of the incident: “Even if I had lost, I would not introduce discussions because it is just like the heat of the moment. You have to cool down; let’s see if he responds or he holds his opinion while lets a practice bike in the player in the evening.”

Although Altmaier had the means to clearly think in the heat of the fight, the same cannot be said for many other players in New York in the past week, a tournament dominated by eruptions of anger and frustration of players. “A lot of drama,” says Jessica Pegula laughing. “I don’t know. My competitions have not been a drama, so I am not sure what is going on with everyone. I don’t know. It’s just that New York City tends to just bring a lot of drama forward, I think.”

In retrospect, the Daniil Medvedev show on the first night of the tournament was a sign of the things that came when he dropped the referee before he dedicated the Louis Armstrong Stadium audience in a six-minute protest, while Benjamin Bonzi MatchPoint held in their first round match. Although that incident led a dramatic comeback, Medvedev lost in five unforgettable sets.

When, after crashing the tournament in a loss of the second round against Taylor Townsend, Jelena Ostapenko crashed on the field. Townsend later said that Ostapenko’s heated comments towards her had recorded the Latvian who accused her of having “no education” and “no class”. Tsitsipas, apparently frustrated by the successful Altmaier forearm in their second round match, tried to send his opponent a message after the game: “Next time you didn’t wonder why I touched you, okay? No, I just say, if you serve forearm …” he said, his voice ended. By that time, Altmaier had removed himself from the conversation.

These events, and many others, seem to reflect this specific moment of the tennis season. Stress runs high during the Tour, especially during the big tournaments, but the US Open is placed in a particularly loaded period at the end of a long, debilitating season. Most players are tired, tightly tense and emotions run high. They are of course also in New York, one of the most hectic cities in the world.

According to Pegula, the powerful New York crowds play a role in the behavior of players on the field: “I feel like the crowd, they are pretty crazy. They get everyone a little furious. Everyone is tense. It’s the last slam of the season. Your last chance to go deep to a slam for a while.

Coco Gauff agrees: “I think it is, (a) at the end of the year; (b) We are here in New York and the fans here – I love them – but [if] You are on the wrong side of things, you can … they are in the game. They are passionate tennis fans. They know what’s going on, and they are used to other events that I think, just like large events, in the city that are not tennis. “

Not everyone believes that the location of the US Open plays a role in the behavior of players: “Hey, don’t blame New York!” Says a smiling Naomi Osaka, who grew up in the city.

Most angry players in New York this week also have long rap sheets. For example, Medvedev has long been one of the most fleeting players on the Tour. Osaka says: “Not everyone mention name by name, but Medvedev’s had a few moments here that are a bit iconic. I have the feeling that the people here might enjoy a show, but I think people enjoy a show everywhere.”

Ostapenko’s criticism of Townsend meanwhile showed a lack of self -consciousness, since she is notorious and is even admired by many, because of her lack of sportiness. They are all in poor form and this tournament represented their last chance to save their Grand Slam years, another potential source of tension.

For Gauff it is not surprising at all to see these players involved: “To be honest, with a part of the drama, I have the feeling that it often happens on tour, but because it is here, it gets more clicking on social media,” she says. “Some players, these are recurring things that are us in the tennis world, it’s not surprising. It is like:” Ok, whatever. ” But because it is here in New York and maybe not so many tennis fans or things like that, it is blown up on social media.

Before Osaka offers a joke her opinion, he makes jokes clear that she was not part of any drama this week: “I don’t know if it is just the part of the season where everyone, such as, irritated and irritated or something,” she says smiling. “But for me I think New York brings out my best behavior, so I don’t know what everyone is doing.”