The Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko (WTA 77) is eliminated in the sixteenth final of the tournament in Madrid on Sunday. After the end of the game, the 33-year-old refused to shake hands with her opponent. The reason: Daria Kasatkina (WTA 8) is Russian.
Tsurenko should not have completely ignored her opponent after the two-set defeat. As Kasatkina reportedly revealed after the game, the Ukrainian waved at her at the net – enough for the Russian.
The 25-year-old does not see the usual handshake that is missing this time as a problem at the end of the game. On the contrary: she shows understanding. The Ukrainian players had their reasons for not shaking hands, she commented after the game.
Kasatkina spoke out against the war in Ukraine last fall. At the time, the Russian said her greatest wish was an end to the war.
“Influential people from sport or all industries should also talk about it. This helps.”
She also came out as a lesbian and criticized Russia’s attitude towards homosexuality. “It’s important for young people who are struggling with society and need support,” she said.
The world No. 8 is in a relationship with Russian figure skater Natalia Zabiyako. In Madrid she failed on Monday in the round of 16 to compatriot Veronika Kudermetova (WTA 13).
2023-05-01 19:44:00
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