ELENA RYBAKINA swatted a man away when he attempted to put his hand around her waist after winning the Eisenhower Cup.
The Kazakhstan tennis star, 26, bagged the title and a cheque for $200,000 after winning a mixed doubles exhibition match with Taylor Fritz at Indian Wells.
David Renker was spotted putting his hand around Elena Rybakina’s waistCredit: WTA
The Australian Open champion then quickly swatted him awayCredit: WTA
But she found herself in an awkward situation when David Renker, a senior vice president at Eisenhower Health, put his arm around her during the trophy presentation.
And footage has gone viral after Rybakina was spotted quickly moving his unwanted hand away.
The world No3, who made a stunning start to the year thanks to , then stared in Renker’s direction as he looked away.
Furious tennis fans flooded onto social media to blast Renker – and called for action to be taken.
One said: “It makes me want to throw up seeing this man touching Elena Rybakina. What do you want to do WTA?”
Another added: “Where are the , Pam Shriver and the other pundits now? They allegedly care about Rybakina. This fella is clearly inappropriately touching Elena.”
A third noted: “I just don’t think you have to go for the waist area for anyone. I think shoulder level is the way to go, regardless of gender.”
A fourth commented: “Highly disturbed, disappointed and upset by this. Why do you have to touch her like that?!?
“, this needs to be addressed or remove this man because there ain’t no way.”
A fifth chimed in: “It’s clearly noticeable that she puts her hand behind to remove it, and she tried to smile but the discomfort was felt. There was no reason for him to touch her.”
Rybakina and Taylor Fritz were being presented with their trophies and a $200,000 chequeCredit: WTA
They won a mixed doubles exhibition match at Indian WellsCredit: Getty
and Fritz notched back-to-back wins in the exhibition event as they overcame Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien in the final.
The showdown went ahead on the eve of the prestigious BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
And Rybakina, , will enter the tournament in the last 64.
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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