Drama Unfolds At The Madrid Open As Chair Umpire Separates WTA Players From Confrontation

The Mutua Madrid Open qualifiers witnessed a fiery and unexpected turn of events as Romanian player Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Serbian Teodora Kostovic clashed—not just in their closely contested match, but in a tense post-match altercation that stole the spotlight.

While Kostovic emerged victorious in the hard-fought battle, it was the aftermath that captured everyone’s attention. From the outset, the atmosphere was heavily charged. A loud and passionate group of 50–60 Romanian fans had filled the stands, vocally supporting Ruse throughout the match. In contrast, Kostovic had minimal backing but showed grit and resilience, responding with a loud "Idemo!" after every point she won.

Her vocal celebrations, however, did not sit well with Ruse, who appeared visibly frustrated as the match wore on. The situation reached boiling point at the end of the contest when Ruse refused the traditional handshake at the net. Instead, she confronted Kostovic, sparking a heated exchange. In response, Kostovic pulled out her phone and began recording the altercation, further escalating tensions.

The chair umpire was forced to intervene in an attempt to defuse the situation. “I’m not going to say anything, don’t worry,” Ruse told the umpire. “I’m the more mature one here,” she added, clearly still fuming.