#Barbora Krejcikova ‘humiliated’ after messy end to US Open match

Barbora Krejcikova has spoken up to defend herself after her opponent on Sunday, Garbine Muguruza, accused her of being “so unprofessional” during their post-match handshake at Arthur Ashe Stadium after Krejcikova defeated Muguruza to advance to the US Open’s quarterfinals. Krejcikova says she felt “humiliated” by the two-time former Grand Slam champion.

“I mean, I just know what she told me at the net,” Krejcikova said, via Tennis Magazine editor Ben Rothenberg. “I don’t know what was happening after. I just tried not to look at it.”

Muguruza’s ire stemmed from Krejcikova taking a medical timeout in the second set for a diaphragm issue; Krejcikova had been up 4-0 but Muguruza stormed back to take a 6-5 lead when Krejcikova took the medical timeout. After that, Krejcikova won seven straight points, and further aggravated Muguruza by moving slowly in between points. 

Krejcikova, the no. 8 seed in the tournament, said that she didn’t expect these accusations. “I just felt right now that I got humiliated by a Grand Slam champion, which I’ve never seen,” she said. “It’s tough. I mean, I’m sad about it because, to be honest, when I step out of the court, it took me actually one hour to get to the locker room. I was in really bad shape. I was just, like, cramping. I felt really, really bad.”

Krejcikova was defeated 6-1, 6-4 by the no. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in Tuesday’s quarterfinal match.