Tennis star told 'nobody likes you' breaks silence after heated row with rival

Yulia Putintseva has fired back at Maria Sakkari after their heated on-court row on Sunday.

The pair traded insults following an ill-tempered end to their first round clash at the Bad Homburg Open.

4 Sakkari and Putintseva were involved in a heated on-court row on Sunday Credit: Sky Sports

4 Their argument saw Sakkari tell her opponent 'nobody likes you' Credit: Sky Sports

Sakkari secured a 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) victory in Germany before shaking hands with Putintseva at the net.

However, both players were soon seen trading insults as tempers flared between them.

During the exchange, Sakkari could be heard exclaiming: "Nobody likes you."

It came after Putintseva had appeared to tell her rival to 'go f*** herself' as tempers flared.

Footage then showed the umpire finally stepping in to cool the tensions between Sakkari and Putintseva.

Despite that, the argument appeared to continue as they made their way off court.

The Kazakh world number 34 has now issued a response on social media to the incident.

Putintseva took to Instagram on Monday to share a mirror selfie to her followers.

Alongside the snap, she wrote: "By the way - not that I care - I shook her hand as most women do.

"Clearly not according to the 'hugging protocol' some men seem to follow."

4 Putintseva took to Instagram to respond to the incident Credit: instagram / @yulia_putintseva

The 30-year-old also aimed a dig at Sakkari by re-sharing a clip from their argument.

In the video, her opponent can be heard saying: "When you shake hands, look at the other person in the eye."

However, the clip then transitions to screengrabs showing Sakkari looking the away whilst shaking hands with two separate opponents.

Putintseva added: "And the plot thickens…" along with a clown emoji.

Sunday's match was the third career meeting between Sakkari and Putintseva.

Prior to their heated clash, the duo had won a single match each, with the Greek ace now leading their head-to-head record.

4 The players continued to exchange words as they made their way off court Credit: Sky Sports

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Sakkari's reward will be a meeting with either Ekaterina Alexandrova or Belinda Bencic.

She will face the winner of their opening tie in the last 16 on Tuesday.

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