Tantrum Tweet-ography: Putintseva + Rodionova Burn Up the Desert

They say third time’s a charm – and in the case of World Tennis Day, it certainly rings true. Starting in Hong Kong and New York in 2013, the event has now become a global effort to increase and celebrate participation in tennis. 

And what better way to celebrate than with a dramatic bagel, courtesy of Anastasia Rodionova and Yulia Putintseva in Indian Wells. 

Two of the more – how shall we put this -“emotional and polarizing” players met in the final round of the Tuesday’s BNP Paribas Open qualifying. An ostensibly unassuming encounter, it was the match plenty of people were looking out for when the schedule of play – nay, the qualifying draw – was announced.

Twitter knew:

Putintseva vs Rodionova in IW QR2. LIFE.

—
José Morgado (@josemorgado) March 10, 2015

#prayercircle MT @jokelley_tennis: Yulia Putintseva may face Anastasia Rodionova in FRQ. Yes that's a thing that could happen.

—
Jason (@Hurleytennis) March 10, 2015

The umpires knew:

Sitting by Mo who is not chairing his match. He knows where the entertainment is... http://t.co/GiDNt1uUGD

—
Steph (@StephintheUS) March 10, 2015

The WTA supervisor is here.#prepared

—
Christopher Levy (@tennis_shots) March 10, 2015

And the locker room, too:

@FortyDeuceTwits @StephintheUS insert popcorn eating emoji

—
CoCo Vandeweghe (@CoCoVandey) March 10, 2015

Unfortunately for everyone who isn’t at the tennis mecca south of Coachella Valley, the match was not streamed. Thankfully, a number of brave souls took to twitter to provide regular updates of the players’ (read: Rodionova’s) shenanigans. The Russian-born Aussie might have eaten a bagel, but it was smeared with drama, arguments, and code violations.

Even before it began, there was something in the desert air:

And so it begins. Rodionova arguing the coin toss.

—
Alyssa (@aah1028) March 10, 2015

Rodio already annoyed with the balls, ballgirl and her chair before the match has even begun. #bnppo15

—
Maria Noble (@thedoublebagel) March 10, 2015

'She's worth the price of admission!' Dude behind me on An. Rodionova, who is seriously so cranky today.

—
Steph (@StephintheUS) March 10, 2015

It was Rodionova, already on fire…

Anastasia arguing calls already. It has begun.

—
Christopher Levy (@tennis_shots) March 10, 2015

@elissetennis not even 2 points and rodionova is already bitching. Yulias coach says ' lets just play'

—
Romeo (@Romeo244) March 10, 2015

The Australian was broken broken in the first game and Putintseva began acing her opponent..

…that’s when things escalated quickly:

Poots has aced Rodio twice in this game. She's not loving it., http://t.co/OEbXS6ygmO

—
Steph (@StephintheUS) March 10, 2015

@elissetennis 'can I finish my sentence' when ump interrupts her about a challenge she believes is wrong. 'Why you interrupt'

—
Romeo (@Romeo244) March 10, 2015

Rodionova lectured on how challenging really works:

Rodi being Rodi. http://t.co/9WelD2Eawa

—
Alyssa (@aah1028) March 10, 2015

Referee Mariana Alves arrived in the SECOND game:

And Mariana is here. http://t.co/K8JrEywxGm

—
Steph (@StephintheUS) March 10, 2015

Covering Rodio from all angles. She's complaining that Yulia challenged late. Referee is out to handle this mess. http://t.co/OYiHhNbOSG

—
Maria Noble (@thedoublebagel) March 10, 2015

(…and it wouldn’t be the last time, either).

Putintseva celebrated, earning a signature deathglare from her irritated opponent:

OMG this match is peak everything!!!!! http://t.co/FQeW7TeCP0

—
Steph (@StephintheUS) March 10, 2015

Mariana Alves once again tried her best to calm down the situation but to no avail.

Making matter worse, the crowd was extremely pro-Putintseva:

Of course the crowd is firmly in Poots' corner. This is just amazing.

—
Steph (@StephintheUS) March 10, 2015

@elissetennis yulia breaks and raises her arms to get the crowd on her side. They cheer. Rodionova throws ball in disgust

—
Romeo (@Romeo244) March 10, 2015

Now she's mad the ball girl runs too slow. The guy behind me wants a go at her.

—
Alyssa (@aah1028) March 10, 2015

It became a live case study for umpires far and wide:

Rodio now asking how long Poots is taking b/w serves. Mo is sitting by me and he's laughing too and shaking his head.

—
Steph (@StephintheUS) March 10, 2015

Cicak and 2 other chair umps watching from the cheap seats.

—
Christopher Levy (@tennis_shots) March 10, 2015

The madness continued…

She's got blood!! http://t.co/Azss5lsX47

—
Alyssa (@aah1028) March 10, 2015

@elissetennis ump says try to play fast. Rodio threatens to call the trainer for blood and sit for 15 mins. Taking the crowd hostage

—
Romeo (@Romeo244) March 10, 2015

Rodio full on blames the ump for her awful play. "You created this. Seriously." #bnppo15

—
Maria Noble (@thedoublebagel) March 10, 2015

By 5-0, all hell broke loose:

violation for Rodio for unsportsmanlike conduct. http://t.co/sOoj4R2EQO

—
Steph (@StephintheUS) March 10, 2015

@elissetennis rodio gets unsportsmanlike conduct Bc she says ' this will be your last match' to ump. Then calls alves

—
Romeo (@Romeo244) March 10, 2015

Yulia applauding the ump for giving Rodio an unsportsmanlike conduct warning. vine.co/v/O9aXa0U7HOO

—
Maria Noble (@thedoublebagel) March 10, 2015

Putitseva eventually served out the bagel. Rodionova cried during yet another discussion with Alves. The second set proved to be a calmer affair, perhaps thanks to sister Arina’s words of wisdom.

The Kazakh eventually won, 6-0, 6-4, and the match concluded in unsurprising fashion.

“Handshake? No, thank you, I’m outta here.”

Poots wins! http://t.co/dZJAZFYHT3

—
Steph (@StephintheUS) March 11, 2015

The only handshake. http://t.co/V5zOB6IgzB

—
Steph (@StephintheUS) March 11, 2015

Happy World Tennis Day, everyone.

A massive thanks to the 5 MVPs of the match: Maria, Steph, Christopher, Alyssa, and Romeo.

What did you think of the match? Are you #teamPoots or #teamRodio? Sound off in the comments!