2023-05-28 14:00:00
Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka on Sunday following losing 6-3, 6-2.
Originally from kyiv, Kostyuk considers the tennis authorities too accommodating with Russian and Belarusian players in the measures taken in response to the invasion of his country by troops from Moscow in February 2022.
She had already chosen not to greet another Belarusian, Victoria Azarenka, preferring to touch her opponent’s racket with hers during the last US Open.
She decided not to greet Sabalenka at all this time, drawing boos from the audience at the time, then walking off the court. The Belarusian then thought at first that she was the target of the public, performing an ironic bow in front of the stands.
“Excuse me, I thought at first that the bronca was for me,” she then explained during the interview following the match, on the court. “I was a bit surprised, but then I felt your support. So thank you very much, it’s very important. It was a very tough game emotionally.”
“It doesn’t matter if she hates me,” Sabalenka, world No. 2, who was asked regarding it, said before the meeting. “Regarding the absence of a handshake, I can understand it,” she added.
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