“Okay if she hates me”

Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka understands her opponent’s negative attitude. This is from Ukraine.

Before the start of the French Open, Aryna Sabalenka showed understanding for the negative attitude of her Ukrainian first-round opponent Marta Kostjuk towards Russian and Belarusian tennis players. “It’s okay if she hates me,” said the Australian Open winner from Belarus on Friday.

Kostyuk is a harsh critic of the tennis federations for their treatment of professionals from Russia and the Belarusian ally after the invasion of Ukraine. The 20-year-old therefore refused opponents from the two countries, who are allowed to play on the tour under neutral status, the usual handshake after matches.

“If I could, I would end the war,” said world number two Sabalenka, who is one of the favorites for the title in Roland Garros, and explained in relation to Ukrainians on the tour: “As far as the handshake is concerned, I can do it somehow understand.”

At the same time, Sabalenka “has the feeling that sport shouldn’t get involved in politics. We’re just athletes,” said the 25-year-old, but emphasized: “If you feel comfortable without shaking hands, I’m happy with that.”

Kostyuk made headlines at the US Open last September when she refused to shake hands with her opponent for the first time after losing to Belarusian Viktoria Azarenka. “I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do in the situation I’m in right now,” she said at the time. Since then, the Ukrainian has always refrained from shaking hands with Russians or Belarusians after a game. (t-online, sid)