Marta Kostyuk, a Ukrainian tennis player, has garnered support from the Ukrainian foreign minister after she refused to shake hands with her Belarusian opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, during a match at the French Open. Kostyuk’s gesture was met with boos from the crowd, but Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba defended her actions, citing the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia as the reason behind the tennis player’s stance. Kostyuk, known for her outspoken criticism of Russian and Belarusian players’ lack of support for Ukraine, expressed her disappointment in the reaction of the crowd and emphasised the importance of taking a stand against the war. Despite the controversy, Sabalenka, currently competing under a neutral flag, acknowledged Kostyuk’s decision and believed it did not warrant the negative response.
The French Open Incident:
During the first-round match between Marta Kostyuk and Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open, Kostyuk declined to shake hands with her opponent, resulting in boos from the spectators. Sabalenka hails from Belarus, a country that has supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to Kostyuk’s refusal to engage in the traditional post-match handshake. Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, took to Twitter to express his support for Kostyuk, urging those who booed her to consider the atrocities committed by the Russian army, which originated from Belarus.
Kostyuk’s Criticism and Response:
Marta Kostyuk, currently ranked 39th in the world, has been vocal about her disappointment in players from Russia and Belarus who have not condemned the ongoing war in Ukraine. Following the incident at the French Open, Kostyuk expressed her belief that the fans who booed her should feel ashamed and predicted that they would regret their actions once the war concludes. The young tennis player emphasized the importance of individuals taking a stand on crucial global issues and called for more responsibility from athletes with significant platforms.
Sabalenka’s Understanding and Support:
Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two and Kostyuk’s opponent, responded to the snub by expressing her understanding of the Ukrainian player’s actions. Playing under a neutral flag due to political circumstances, Sabalenka acknowledged the potential consequences Kostyuk could face if she were to shake hands with a Belarusian athlete. Sabalenka stressed that no athlete from Russia or Belarus supports the war and defended Kostyuk’s decision, stating that it did not warrant the negative reaction from the crowd.
Diverging Opinions:
While Sabalenka exhibited understanding towards Kostyuk’s stance, the Ukrainian player had no respect for her opponent’s lack of vocal support on global issues. Kostyuk pointed out that Sabalenka possessed a vast platform with millions of followers who could influence public opinion, yet she refrained from taking a stand on significant matters. In contrast, Kostyuk emphasized her own commitment to speaking out on important issues and criticized Sabalenka for evading her responsibility to have an opinion on pressing world affairs.
The incident between Marta Kostyuk and Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open has highlighted the ongoing tension between Ukraine and Russia, with Belarus playing a significant role. While Kostyuk received support from the Ukrainian foreign minister for refusing to shake hands with her Belarusian opponent, Sabalenka understood and defended the Ukrainian player’s decision. The incident has shed light on the responsibility of athletes with platforms to address global issues and the diverging opinions regarding their involvement in geopolitical conflicts.
