Tennis

Yulia Putintseva's triumph at the Rothesay Classic in Birmingham marked a significant milestone in her career, not only for the title itself but also for the exuberant celebration that followed. The Kazakh star, known for her fiery personality, seized the opportunity to express her gratitude and share her joy with everyone present.After recounting her victory and acknowledging her opponent's performance, Putintseva extended her thanks to her parents, the Kazakh tennis federation, and her coach, Matteo Donati. But her speech didn't end there. With a mischievous grin, she declared, "Champagne to everyone!"The crowd erupted in laughter and applause as Putintseva made it clear that the LTA would be footing the bill for the celebratory drinks. Her infectious enthusiasm and willingness to share her moment with others showcased her genuine appreciation for the support she had received.Putintseva's victory in Birmingham was the culmination of a remarkable resurgence this year. After falling to No. 80 in the world rankings in February, she has steadily climbed back up, reaching No. 34 on Monday. Her strong performances in Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid have demonstrated her versatility and adaptability on different surfaces."I don't know what I'm feeling because I wasn't expecting this at all," Putintseva admitted in her victory speech. "It's great and it's confusing because I've always been good on clay, but now all of a sudden, I'm good on grass. I'll take that! It's great!"Putintseva's success on grass has come as a surprise to many, but she is embracing her newfound status as a "grass court specialist." Her victory in Birmingham has given her confidence and momentum heading into next week's tournament in Bad Hombug.As the champagne flowed and the celebrations continued, Putintseva couldn't help but reflect on the significance of her victory. "What a week," she captioned her celebratory Instagram post. "I'm so grateful for all the support and love. I'm ready to keep fighting and achieving my dreams."

Yulia Putintseva, the Kazakhstani tennis star, has become an internet sensation after her impromptu dance performance during a changeover at the Rothesay Classic on Friday.Putintseva, known for her love of pop music, couldn't resist grooving to Britney Spears' "Oops, I Did it Again!" as it played over the Center Court speakers. With a 5-0 lead in the third set against American Caroline Dolehide, Putintseva mouthed the lyrics and danced in her chair until the chair umpire called time.The crowd erupted in laughter and applause, and the video of Putintseva's dance quickly went viral on social media. It's not the first time Putintseva has shown off her love of music. She has met artists like Lil Nas X and Zedd, and attended concerts by Ed Sheeran and The Weeknd."Dancing and singing are my thing," Putintseva said earlier this year in Miami, where she reached her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal in two years.Putintseva's dance performance was a testament to her positive attitude and her ability to find joy in the game. Despite failing to close out the match in straight sets, she remained upbeat and eventually won 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-1.The victory sets up a semifinal clash against Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto on Saturday. Putintseva, now ranked No. 41, is seeking to advance to her sixth career WTA singles final, and first on grass.With her infectious personality and love of music, Putintseva has become a fan favorite on the WTA Tour. Her dance performance at the Rothesay Classic is sure to be remembered as one of the most memorable moments of the tournament.