Martina Trevisan may have to take sportsmanship lessons after this blunder.
The Italian women’s tennis player offered just a terse, unemotional handshake on Thursday after she was defeated by No. 207-ranked German upstart Noma Noha Akugue, who knocked off the No. 76 seed in a shocking 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 win at the Hamburg European Open.
Trevisan was immediately blasted for her behavior by the tennis world.
“And I’m sorry that was a pathetic “hand shake” if that’s what u call it from Trevisan!” six-time major champion Rennae Stubbs wrote on Twitter. “Bloody hell, the kid legit beat u and she’s in tears walking to the net and u barely shake her hand. Not approved!!!”
There was another tangible sign of tension earlier in the match that could explain the cold meeting at the net.
With Trevisan threatening to break Noha Akugue’s serve at 3-3 in the second set, Noha Akugue hit a ball directly at Trevisan while down 0-40, going on to hold serve as the Italian player fumed.
Noha Akugue, a 19-year-old wild card competing in her first-ever WTA main draw, has showcased a rapid ascent in Hamburg, where she was born to Nigerian parents.
“I’m feeling good, I’m also proud,” she said following the match, after she broke into tears. “I’m happy with my efforts today. It was emotional for me today and I just tried to fight and fight to the end.”
She also defeated Australian Storm Hunter in an impressive three-set battle in the previous round at the Hamburg tournament and had already earned two Top 100 wins prior to her victory over Trevisan.
Noha Akugue also became the youngest winner of the German National Championships at 17 in 2020.
Trevisan is a 29-year-old clay court specialist whose best major performances have come at Roland Garros, where she was a semifinalist in 2022 and a quarterfinalist in 2020, her highest ranking coming in 2023 at No. 18.
She’s landed in hot water for on-court antics before.
In 2020, she applauded American teenager Coco Gauff’s 19 double-faults at her French Open debut, frequently yelling “Yes!” and “Let’s go!” in Italian between points.