The Ukrainian Marta Kostjuk reacted with great incomprehension to the boos from the audience at the French Open after refusing to shake hands.
“I didn’t expect what happened today. I have no reaction to it, but people should honestly be ashamed,” said the 20-year-old after her first-round appearance against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka at the Grand Slam tournament in Paris. “I want to see how people will react in ten years, when the war is over.”
Kostjuk didn’t look at co-favorite Sabalenka after the 3: 6, 2: 6 and didn’t shake her hand. Larger sections of the audience on the Philippe-Chatrier court reacted with boos and whistles, and some spectators also applauded Kostjuk’s departure from the court. She emphasized that she would continue to refuse to shake hands with players from Russia and Belarus after games.
Kostyuk demands from them a clear condemnation of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Journalists should ask professionals from Russia and Belarus who they think should win the war, Kostyuk said.
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. “I felt a lot of support there, so I’m sure they will react differently,” said Kostjuk, looking ahead to the next Grand Slam tournament.