Russian-born tennis player Anastasia Potapova publicly criticized a United Airlines flight attendant after a flight she called "humiliating" while on her way to attend the US Open 2026.
Potapova, currently ranked 28th in the world, went on social media to reflect that she and her pet dog were treated badly on a flight from Houston to New York.
The 25-year-old tennis player, who moved to play as an Austrian representative before the new season began, moved to prepare for the women's singles draw at Flushing Meadows.
She had to withdraw from the recent Monterrey Open due to a back injury, but will participate in the US Open as seeded No. 24.
I have never done anything like this before, but right now I simply can't continue to keep silent," Potapova shared on her Instagram Story.
As a professional athlete, I travel a lot around the world, but this is the first time I have encountered such levels of disrespect, rudeness and in some ways discrimination.
For me, flight attendants are people who are there to help passengers, not to create trouble for them.
Today, on flight UA678 from Houston to New York, I met a flight attendant who continuously deliberately made things difficult for me without any clear reason.
She was extremely rude to me personally as well as in her treatment of my dog. She also constantly mentioned my status and threatened to kick me off the flight because of that.
Her name is Mary. I really hope your airline will consider this matter and handle it seriously, because no passenger - and no animal - deserves to be treated in such an humiliating and disrespectful way, especially from a member of the crew.
Potapova also shared a photo of the flight attendant she complained about, then shared a response from a follower confirming that they "also had a similar incident with that woman" and said that this message "is just one of many messages sent in".
The tennis player who defeated Coco Gauff at the French Open earlier this year revealed that she is "exchanging" with United Airlines and added: "I really appreciate the quick response to our issue".
Potapova reached the 2nd round of the women's singles at the US Open last year and lost to Mirra Andreeva. Her best career achievement in New York is reaching the 3rd round in 2024.
2026 was quite successful for her when she reached the 4th round of Roland Garros after defeating Gauff, and also became the first lucky loser to reach the semi-finals of a WTA 1000 tournament, before losing to Marta Kostyuk at the Madrid Open.
She was married to colleague Alexander Shevchenko, but the two divorced after the US Open 2024.
