The Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (39th WTA) was the protagonist of a controversial moment this Sunday at Roland Garros at the reject the greeting to its winner, the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (2nd).
The climax was experienced in one of the central courts of the French Grand Slam, where the Parisian public did not hide their discontent with the gesture and the loser whistled.
After losing 6-3, 6-2, Kostyuk decided not to make any sporting gestures with Sabalenka and boos were heard from the crowd.
At first, the Belarusian misunderstood what was happening and bowed to the audience, thinking that the audience was not happy with her victory. After a few words with her ‘box’, which she clarified what happened, she thanked her support.
“Sorry, at the beginning I thought the anger was against me. I was a little surprised but then I felt your support, so thank you very much, it’s very important. It was a very tough game on an emotional level,” said the Belarusian after the victory had already been achieved.
At a press conference Kostyuk, a native of Kiev, showed very critical of the tennis world’s position on the war; and he said a few words to the spectators who booed her after she made her post-match decision.
“I want to see the reaction of these people in 10 years when the war is over. I think they won’t be happy with themselves when they look back on what they did” he said angrily.
“I already said I wouldn’t shake hands and I don’t know why people thought I would change my mind,” she continued. And she completed: “I have never said publicly or privately that I hate Sabalenka. Only I don’t respect his position in this situation.”
At the last US Open, the 20-year-old Ukrainian tennis player had already refused to greet the former world number 1, the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, after the clash between the two, sticking her racket when her rival offered her hand.
In the following press conference, the winner Sabalenka explained more calmly what happened after the match: “We know that the Ukrainians don’t want to shake our hands, but the audience was surprised. They perceived it as a lack of respect. I’m very sorry that happened,” she admitted.
“I’ve said it several times, neither Belarusian nor Russian athletes support the war. How can anyone support the war? Absolutely not. If we could end it, we would immediately,” he concluded.
Source: Clarin
Jason Root is the go-to source for sports coverage at News Rebeat. With a passion for athletics and an in-depth knowledge of the latest sports trends, Jason provides comprehensive and engaging analysis of the world of sports.