”Laura Siegemund is so dirty it’s not even a joke”: Fans outraged at German's response to contentious call against Marta Kostyuk in Stuttgart 1R clash

Fans were angered by Laura Siegemund's response to a call during her first-round match against Marta Kostyuk at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

Kostyuk and Siegemund went head to head against each other in a topsy-turvy three-setter at Stuttgart. The Ukrainian claimed the first set but the German veteran leveled the score in the second set after a hard-fought tiebreaker. It was the 21-year-old who claimed the deciding set to eliminate the home favorite 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4.

During the opening game of the third set, a shot from Marta Kostyuk was called out which would give Siegemund the early break. However, the Ukrainian immediately challenged the call and the ball was called in, meaning she won the point.

Siegemund argued with the umpire that she would've returned the ball if not for the out call. The umpire, in turn, decided to replay the point after listening to Siegemund's appeal.

Kostyuk was unhappy with the decision as she felt that the 36-year-old had a fair go at the ball and failed to return it but the umpire turned a deaf ear to the Ukrainian's pleas. Seigemund ended up winning the point and breaking Kostyuk.

Several fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their anger at Siegemund's antics, with one of the fans calling the German a very dirty player.

"Siegemund is so dirty is not even a joke. She didn't hit," a fan said.

Another fan felt that Laura Siegemund should have some sportsmanship and be a better role model for young players.

"@laurasiegemund very disappointing. Show some sportsmanship, please. Your way over 30 and not a teenager. Be a better role model," the fan wrote.

Here are some other reactions from the fans.

"I CANNOT. Siegewitch saying "I ReTurNeD thE BaLL! oF coUrSe I HAd a PLay on It!"" said a fan

"This is so badddd @WTA... Tennis needs video replay because this is unacceptable," A fan opined

"Yup I said it during the AO that person is such a cheat and dirty player but no one believed me but yet here she is doing it again," a fan fumed

"If I hv to choose my most hated player, it would be siegemund. She hv seriously no sportsmanship at all. So many times I saw her doing this," Another fan said

"“I hit the ball! Of course I hit it!” Oh this is still making me mad thank god we won " A fan rejoiced

"What a cheater Siegemund is but we are not surprised as this has been happening time and time again," Another fan said

Marta Kostyuk will face Zheng Qinwen in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

Marta Kostyuk

Marta Kostyuk has produced some impressive in the 2024 season so far. She has made it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, the final of the San Diego Open, and the semifinals of the BNP ParibasOpenin Indian Wells.

Marta Kostyuk will face Zheng Qinwen in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Zheng, the fifth seed, defeated Sorana Cirstea in her opening round match in straight sets.

This will be the second meeting between the Ukrainian and the Chinese, having previously faced each other at the 2023 National Bank Open in the first round which went the latter's way after three sets.