Latvian star Jelena Ostapenko did the unthinkable during her quarter-final loss at Wimbledon to Barbora Krejcikova.
After going down a set and then leading 4-1 in the second, the Latvian gave up a break, giving her opponent a sniff at 4-3.
As she walked to her seat after smacking a backhand into the net, Ostapenko was seen motioning to her coaches box, causing confusion.
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It became clear that she was trying to kick one of her coaches out of the game – but they all initially remained – which only increased her frustrations.
Those within the box had no idea who she was pointing at and demanding to leave the court.
Ostapenko tells her coach to leave. Stan
After a while they started pointing themselves out, not knowing who she wanted banished.
One of Ostapenko’s coaches did eventually leave and it seemed to work in her favour as she went up a level, but she could not continue as Krejcikova eventually won 6-4 7-6 (7-4).
Her coaches are unsure who she wants gone. Stan
The last time Krejcikova enjoyed a run to the last four of a major tournament, she won the 2021 French Open.
“It’s a great moment for me,” said Krejcikova, who is from the Czech Republic. “It’s an unbelievable moment that I’m experiencing right now.”
Krejcikova had struggled with injuries and illness earlier this season.
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“There have been many doubts from the inside, but also from outside — from the outside world — but I’m super happy than I never gave up and that I’m standing here right now,” she added.
The Czech star faces a tough match in the Wimbledon semi-finals, though, as she locks horns with 2022 champion Elena Rybakina.
The 25-year-old Rybakina — at No.4 the highest seeded woman left in the draw — had seven aces and 28 winners to improve her record at the All England Club to 19-2.
Rybakina said she is more relaxed compared to two years ago when she beat Ons Jabeur for the Wimbledon title.
“In 2022, I was definitely more nervous than now,” she said. “It was the first time for me to play on Centre Court.
“It was a lot of people, a lot of attention. Now, of course, I got used to it a little bit. I’m taking these matches in a different way.”