Yelyzaveta Kotliar will think twice next time before ending a match with a fist at the net. The 16-year-old Ukrainian gave one to a Russian at the Australian Open and that is ‘not done’ in times of war.
Thursday January 25, 2024 at 11:30 AM
Kotliar lost 6-2, 6-4 to Vlada Micheva in the first round of the junior tournament. The two tennis talents then walked to the net and shook hands. Standard in tennis, but now it caused controversy. Since the start of the war, it has been an unwritten rule that Ukrainians do not shake hands with Russians.
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It actually earned Kotliar an admonition and an investigation from the Ukrainian tennis federation, which described it as “an unpleasant incident”. Father Konstantin had to do everything he could to defend his daughter against the storm of criticism.
“At the beginning of a career it is difficult to deal with such things and not be nervous,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, my daughter did not feel calm. Her emotions were running high, so she couldn’t fully control her behavior. She did this on autopilot, without realizing that behind the net was a representative of the country launching the attack on our homeland. It was definitely a mistake she regrets and assures us she will never do it again.”
Yastremska. — © EPA-EFE
Top player Dayana Yastremska was even asked about it after reaching the women’s semi-finals. The Ukrainian is performing as a qualifier, but fled her home country two years ago due to the war. She does not shake Russian hands at the net.
“We as Ukrainians have our position: we do not shake hands,” she said after her win against the Czech Linda Noskova. “But I think she is still a bit young and therefore not that experienced yet. However, I’m sure she supports Ukraine and I’m sure she was just too emotional and confused.”
