Johnson and Sock Put Yulia Putintseva on 'Naughty' List, Alleging Shoelace Tactic

Overview

• On the Nothing Major podcast, Steve Johnson criticized Yulia Putintseva’s on‑court conduct and cited respect for ball kids as non‑negotiable.
• Jack Sock alleged Putintseva uses a recurring shoelace ploy to stall play during pivotal moments, presenting it as a time‑wasting tactic.
• The discussion revisited the 2024 US Open moment when Putintseva appeared to ignore a ball girl, which she later acknowledged with a public apology.
• Boris Becker had previously condemned her behavior toward the ball girl in a post on X, adding to ongoing scrutiny of her conduct.
• Coverage also noted her difficult 2025 season with only five Grand Slam match wins and a drop to No. 71, with reports expecting her return before the Australian Open on January 18, 2026.