Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, who lost in the final of the WTA 500 Brisbane against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, does not shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players since the invasion of her country in 2022.
On previous occasions she has explained that her stance is not personal against the players, but a form of protest against the invasion of her country.
In fact, the world number one has publicly expressed her rejection of the waron several occasions. “No one in this world, Russian or Belarusian athletes, supports the war. Nobody. How are we going to support it? Normal people don’t. If we could stop it, we would, but unfortunately it’s not in our hands,” Sabalenka explained at a press conference during the 2023 edition of Roland Garros, making her position very clear.
The Belarusian has been denied a handshake at the net in several tournaments. In fact, this same gesture three years ago at Roland Garros provoked boos from the fans. On Sunday in Brisbane (Australia) it was not surprising that she refused to greet Sabalenka in the final. In fact, to avoid tension, the organisers explained to both players that there would be no joint posingof the finalists with the trophies at the end of the prize-giving ceremony.
No one in this world, Russian or Belarusian athletes, supports the war; if we could stop it, we would
The pain of the Ukrainian people
But after receiving her runner-up trophy, Kostyuk took the opportunity to remind the world of the situation in her country. “I want to say a few words about Ukraine. I play every day with pain in my heart. There are thousands of people who right now have no light or hot water. Outside it is -20 degrees. It is very painful to live this reality every day. My sister sleeps under three blankets because it is so cold at home. I was very touched and happy to see so many Ukrainian flags this week,” she said.
It is very painful to live this reality every day, my sister sleeps under three blankets because it is very cold at home
For her part, Sabalenka began her champion’s speech by dedicating some nice words to her rival. “First of all, I want to congratulate Marta and her team for this incredible start to the season. I wish you all the best. I hope we meet many more times in finals to offer great tennis,” she said.
Other cases
Kostyuk is not the only Ukrainian tennis player who refuses to shake hands with Russians and Belarusians. Lesia Tsurenko also refused to shake hands with Sabalenka at the 2024 Australian Open.
Elina Svitolina also refuses the traditional handshake out of respect for Ukrainian soldiers and as a way to keep the message about the war visible on the professional circuit.
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