Angelique Kerber is usually quite affable, that's why it's so surprising the German star gave Canadian teenage sensation Bianca Andreescu the cold shoulder at the Miami Masters.
After losing to the 18-year-old 6-4 4-6 6-1 — Kerber's second defeat to the same opponent inside a week after also falling toher at Indian Wells — the German gave Andreescu one of the quickest handshakes you will ever see at the net.
And that wasn't all. It turned out Kerber — who was clearly less than impressed with aspects of Andreescu's behaviour — had some words for her.
They were picked up by microphones around the court and Kerber was reportedly caught referring to the Canadian as the "biggest drama queen ever."
As the microphones picked it up, Kerber called 18-year-old Andreescu "the biggest drama queen ever" after losing to her for the second time in a week.... #MiamiOpenhttps://t.co/sMnzSlmEd1
Andreescu played it down post-match, suggesting she did not hear what the German said.
"She said something, but I'm not sure what," Andreescu said.
"I just didn't say anything, whatever, I'm not trying to focus on that. I'll just let my tennis talk."
The frosty handshake certainly sent tennis twitter into overdrive as journalists and fans picked up on the ice-cold exchange — while Aussie star Nick Kyrgios also took Kerber to task.
Should have done it in two (4-1 up). Eventually did it 6-1 in 3rd.
Arsey handshake from Kerber. Andreescu in interview said ‘Kerber played good tennis but I was just a step ahead with my angles, variety and fighting spirit’. 👀
If it’s true that Angelique Kerber called Bianca Andreescu ‘the biggest drama-queen ever’ at the net, then I’d add from my vantage point commentating that the only drama- queen type behaviour I saw or heard was Kerber calling Andreescu ‘the biggest drama-queen ever’.
Meanwhile the result left tennis analyst and former men's star Brad Gilbert in awe of what Andreescu is doing right now.
"Kerber baby can defend unbelievable, but right now Bibi Andreescu's 'fearhand' can control the centre of the court and she has the ability to play high heavy spin then totally crack it," he wrote on Twitter.
Next up for Andreescu is Estonian Annett Kontaveit, who conquered Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round — but we eagerly await the next time Kerber and Andreescu meet.
