Anastasia Potapova, the Russian-born Austrian tennis player, has recently come under fire after posting a TikTok video that sparked widespread criticism. The 24-year-old, who is currently ranked World No. 58 on the WTA Tour, shared a clip featuring herself on a jet ski in a bikini, accompanied by a caption that many viewed as insensitive towards people facing obesity and economic challenges.
The caption in the video read:
“When somebody asks me my biggest fear but I can’t say being fat and poor so I just say sharks”
This post ignited strong reactions from tennis fans, particularly on Reddit, where many accused Potapova of mocking individuals struggling with financial hardship and weight issues despite her privileged status as a professional athlete.
Fans Express Outrage Over Potapova’s Conduct and Attitude
Online commentators condemned Potapova’s post for its negative tone and lack of empathy. Several fans questioned her behavior both on and off the court. One commenter stated,
“Pathetic and embarrassing behavior. But people are gonna approve it with some 💅 and some stupid s**t. Get f**ked,”
Another detailed past incidents reflecting poorly on her character, saying,
“This “lady” verbally abused a 5 year old overweight ball kid (that was doing nothing wrong at all, actually did a great job considering it was 35 degree day…she said he was terrible and not adequate for the job and cussed him out in russian straight to the kids face!) then straight after went after at crowd member because she choked a 0-3 lead and got upset with herself……she is the worst example of a womans tennis player i can think of…..Austrian tennis federation has a fun one to deal with, lol,”
Others observed that her behavior on social media seemed typical for her, with remarks such as,
“Is there’s one player I’d expect to post something like this, it’s her,”
“Her biggest fear is actually posting a picture with no facetune or filters,”
Several fans criticized the humor embedded in the post, arguing it was unkind and inappropriate:
“I can’t believe some ppl on here actually find this funny. Punching down at fat and poor people is lame as hell and it’s hack and cheap in a pure comedy sense,”
In addition, a final comment underscored skepticism about her online persona:
“Following tiktok trends is not a substitute for a personality,”
Previous Nationality Switch Announcement Added to the Controversy
Adding to the unrest surrounding Potapova this year was her December announcement that she would compete for Austria instead of Russia. This declaration sparked backlash because she used wording identical to that employed by fellow player Daria Kasatkina when Kasatkina switched to representing Australia.
Facing accusations of plagiarism, Potapova defended her choice at the Australian Open, her first major tournament representing Austria. Addressing the media, she said,
“I don’t find anything wrong with that because you cannot say it in a better way. And why not? It was perfect words. I loved it. We loved it with my team, with everyone. So, gave it a shot. I don’t think that it’s something terrible happened. I think the media just blew it up just because they didn’t like me with the fact of it happening. I mean, who cares about posts, right?”
Recent Performance Highlights and Future Outlook
On the competitive front, Potapova’s most recent appearance was at the Transylvania Open in Romania, where she advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Sorana Cirstea, who ultimately won the tournament. Despite recent controversies, Potapova remains an active figure in women’s tennis with opportunities ahead to reshape her public image and Olympic ambitions.
Given the strong reactions to her TikTok post and previous controversies, Potapova’s reputation faces ongoing challenges. How she manages her social media presence and conducts herself in future competitions will likely influence public perception and professional opportunities in the coming months.
Potapova making 💅 choices 💅 on her TikTok
byu/theriverjordan intennis
