- Unfolded after mixed doubles exhibition match at Indian Wells
A man has come under fire from tennis fans after appearing to touch the body of Kazakhstan star Elena Rybakina during a trophy presentation – prompting her to move his hand away.
The awkward incident unfolded at Indian Wells in California, moments after the Australian Open winner won a mixed doubles exhibition match with Taylor Fritz.
Rybakina, 26, and local favourite Fritz won the Eisenhower Cup and were awarded a cheque for $200,000.
They were presented with individual trophies and David Renker, senior vice president of Eisenhower Health, was seen putting his arm behind Rybakina at the presentation.
The two-time Grand Slam champion was then spotted immediately nudging Renker’s hand away as the cameras kept rolling.
As Rybakina turned to stare in his direction, Renker took a step backwards.
A man has come under fire from tennis fans after appearing to touch the body of Kazakhstan star Elena Rybakina during a trophy presentation at Indian Wells in the US
In awkward scenes, the two-time Grand Slam champion was spotted nudging Renker’s hand away as the cameras kept rolling
World number three Rybakina is yet to comment on the matter via her social media
‘Looks awkward and completely off-balance,’ said one fan on Reddit.
‘He (Renker) tried to do it twice. No need to feel bad for him,’ posted another.
‘I just don’t think you have to go for the waist area for anyone. I think shoulder level is the way to go, regardless of gender,’ offered a third.
Rybakina is yet to comment on the matter via her social media, instead posting a series of images with Fritz.
It comes as the world No.3 addressed talk earlier this week of women potentially playing five-set matches during the second week at the four majors each year.
As it stands, stars on the WTA tour receive the same prize money as their male counterparts on the ATP circuit – despite only playing best-of-three-set matches at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
‘I think it’s a huge [proposed] change, to be honest, even if it’s only second week,’ Rybakina told reporters.
‘You start in one format and then it gets longer, so mentally you also need to be ready to play so many sets if it goes to that point.
‘I also don’t think it would be interesting for the people [fans], because maintaining the level for so many sets is going to be quite difficult.
‘As a player, I would say I wouldn’t want to play three out of five, to be honest.’
Rybakina’s next opponent in the second round of the women’s singles at Indian Wells – often dubbed the fifth slam – is yet to be determined.
