Ukrainian Kostjkuk refuses to shake hands with Belarusian Sabalenka

28.05.2023

Fans responded with boos

The Ukrainian Marta Kostjuk refused to shake hands with co-favorite Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus in the explosive first-round duel at the French Open and was booed for it.

After the 3:6,2:6, the 20-year-old Kostyuk didn’t look at her opponent on Sunday and refrained from shaking hands as is usually the case in tennis. Larger parts of the audience on the Court Philippe-Chatrier reacted with boos and whistles

At least some spectators applauded Kostyuk’s departure. She refuses to shake hands with players from Russia and Belarus after games and calls for a clear condemnation of the war from professionals from both countries. Sabalenka had repeatedly stated before the game that she would end Russia’s war of aggression if she could, saying that it was “okay” if Kostyuk hated her.

After the game, Sabalenka initially reacted with surprise to the boos and whistles from the audience and bowed in the direction of the spectators. At first she thought that these would apply to her, said the 25-year-old Australian Open winner with a smile. “The game was very difficult and emotional for me.”

Infamous start at clay court classic

In contrast to other sports, players from Russia and Belarus are allowed to compete in tennis because they are considered independent of their states. After an exclusion last year, this will also be the case for the grass classic in Wimbledon.

The Sabalenka match was one of the first to end on the opening day of the 49.6 million euro French Open on a sunny and warm Whitsunday. From an Austrian point of view, Sebastian Ofner (leads against Maxime Cressy/USA with 2-0 sets, note) and later Jurij Rodionov (against Lucas Pouille/FRA) were in action.