between the Ukrainian Kostyuk and the Belarusian Azarenka, a very political match – Liberation

In the context of the war in Ukraine, the second round between Victoria Azarenka and Marta Kostyuk this Thursday promises to be the most tense in New York.

If it had taken place in 2021, the confrontation between the two players would have been a classic match. A later edition of the US Open, the second round between this Thursday, at 5 p.m., Victoria Azarenka and Marta Kostyuk, takes on a whole new dimension.

On the sporting level, both have something to be satisfied with. Azarenka, former Belarusian world number 1 now ranked 26th, three-time finalist at Flushing Meadows, made a successful entry into the running on Tuesday, defeating (6-1, 4-6, 6-2) American Ashlyn Krueger . Ditto for Marta Kostyuk (60th), a 20-year-old Ukrainian, victorious 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 at the expense of the Egyptian Mayar Sherif (63rd).

Their respective qualification now leads them to play against each other, according to the draw. Not sure that the American public is entitled to a hug between the two players: the confrontation, which risks refreshing the very warm atmosphere of the New York courts, is part of a very tense context between Ukrainian players and players of a side, Russians and Belarusians on the other, the conflict in Ukraine has been going on for six months.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia. The autocrat who rules the country, Alexander Lukashenko, notably allowed Moscow to use his territory, bordering Ukraine, to launch strikes on his neighbor. Reason why many Ukrainian players want the Russians and Belarusians to be banned from competition, in accordance with the recommendations issued by the International Olympic Committee.

This is particularly the case of Kostyuk, very vehement on the issue. Barely days after the start of the war, the young Ukrainian published a press release in which she expressed her «grande surprise» and his “dissatisfaction” in the face of the WTA’s lack of reaction to what is happening in his country: “We call on the WTA to immediately condemn the Russian government, withdraw all tournaments held in Russia and contact the ITF [Fédération internationale de tennis] to do the same.”

However, only the organizers of Wimbledon have taken the decision to ostracize Belarusian and Russian players this summer, unlike other majors and tournaments on the ATP and WTA circuits which allow Daniil Medvedev, Aryna Sabalenka and others to play, however without mentioning their country. and no flag.

Azarenka, crowned twice at the Australian Open, is not the most timid when it comes to discussing the conflict. When others do not comment, she said in March finding “heartbreaking to see how many innocent people have been and continue to be affected by this violence. I have always seen and experienced Ukrainians and Belarusians as friendly people and supportive of each other. It is difficult to witness the violent separation that is currently taking place”.

Not enough to attract the sympathy of his Ukrainian counterparts. Last weekend, Azarenka was initially among the stars scheduled to take part in an exhibition tournament held on the eve of the US Open, with the aim of raising funds for Ukraine. A charity event, ‘Tennis for Peace’, which coincided with the country’s Independence Day celebrations. But Kostyuk, like many other players in his country, had rebelled, causing the United States Tennis Federation to backpedal.

“When we learned that there would be representatives from Russia or Belarus at this event, I immediately said that I would not participate”said the 20-year-old Ukrainian girl. “Never take for granted the impact of a kind gesture”, was then content to react Azarenka. Ahead of their duel, Kostyuk this time did not comment on the subject, nor about a possible withdrawal from the tournament.