(New York) Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Victoria Azarenka on Thursday after her loss at the 2e tour of the United States Open, and later assumed “this choice”, reproaching his Belarusian opponent for his silence about the war in Ukraine.
Posted at 5:51 p.m.
“It was my decision. I didn’t want to, ”explained at a press conference Kostyuk, who preferred to initiate a slight clash of rackets-gesture established during the period of COVID-19-after the game she lost 6- 2, 6-3.
“She never came to see me to tell me what she thinks (of the ongoing conflict, editor’s note). I have nothing against her personally. I just think she has such an important role, as a member of the WTA Players Council, and also outside of tennis, in her country. I think she could have done more,” said the 20-year-old Ukrainian.
“I just think it’s not the right way to behave, given the circumstances I find myself in at the moment,” insisted Kostyuk, also claiming to have tried to contact Azarenka by text message on Wednesday, the day before the match. , to “warn her” of her refusal to shake her hand.
Belarus, who will face in the next round the Croatian Petra Martic (54e), defended herself for not having wanted to speak to the Ukrainian.
“I’ve offered to do it several times through the WTA. I was told it was not the right time. I don’t have a close relationship with Marta, I never had. I obviously know who she is, but I’ve never trained or had a conversation with her,” she said.
Very tense context
As for his supposed inaction, Azarenka claims to have sent “a very clear message from the start”.
“I’m here to try to help. People may not see it. And that’s not why I do it. I do it for those who are in need, of clothes, money or something else, ”said the former world N.1.
Their meeting at the United States Open took place in a very tense context between Ukrainian players on the one hand, Russians and Belarusians on the other, for the six months that the conflict has lasted. Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has allowed Moscow to use its territory to launch attacks in Ukraine.
Reason why many Ukrainian players, including Kostyuk, want Russians and Belarusians to be banned from competition. This decision, only the organizers of the Wimbledon tournament took it, this summer, unlike the other Majors and tournaments of the ATP and WTA circuits which authorize Daniil Medvedev, Aryna Sabalenka and consort to play, but without mention of their country and without flag .
Last weekend, Azarenka was dropped from an exhibition tournament held ahead of the US Open to raise money for Ukraine.
Kostyuk in particular protested against his presence at this charity event, causing the organizers to backpedal. “Imagine that during World War II there was a fundraiser for Jews and Germans wanted to play. I don’t think Jews would understand,” Kostyuk said Thursday.
Azarenka, on the contrary, felt that participating in this exhibition would have demonstrated “a real commitment” on her part.