Marta Kostyuk and Victoria Azarenka only touched racquets after their US Open match. Timothy A. ClaryAFP/Getty Images Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine declined to shake hands with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus after their US Open match.
Belarus has aided Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, and Kostyuk called shaking hands too personal. Azarenka said she cannot force anyone to shake hands but would be willing to speak with Kostyuk about the situation. Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine declined to shake hands with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus after their US Open match on Thursday.
Azarenka’s home country has supported Russia in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. After Azarenka defeated Kostyuk, 6-2, 6-3, Kostyuk waited for Azarenka at the net and only tapped racquets before shaking the judge’s hand and leaving the court. —Sam Street (@samstreetwrites) September 1, 2022After the match, Kostyuk told reporters that although she had nothing against Azarenka, in particular, the situation remains “personal” to her.
“It’s pretty personal,” Kostyuk said. “It wasn’t a personal match for me because it was Vika specifically, but overall it was not just a casual match that I play in a tournament. “She added: “I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do in the circumstances I’m in right now.
“According to the Associated Press, Kostyuk texted Azarenka on Tuesday, hoping to tell her that she didn’t intend to shake her hand, but Azarenka responded that she had already left the premises. Kostyuk reportedly dropped the matter, because she wanted to tell Azarenka in person. Asked after the match about the lack of a handshake, Azarenka shrugged it off.
“It is what it is. I just move on,” Azarenka said. “I cannot force anybody to shake my hand.
It’s their decision. “Azarenka noted that Dayana Yastremska, also of Ukraine, did not shake her hand at the Citi Open in August. Azarenka said she has reached out to the Ukrainian players she knows to discuss the complexity of their relationships during the war, but has not specifically spoken to Kostyuk.
“I’ve offered many times through WTA, because I believe that there is a sort of sensitivity. I’ve been told that that’s not a good time,” Azarenka said. “I don’t have, or I never had a close relationship with Marta.
I obviously knew who she is, but I’ve never practiced with her. I’ve never really had conversation with her. “So in March when everything happened, I have reached out to all the players that I personally know and I still have a good relationship with — I’m talking about Ukrainian players, of course — and, you know, I don’t feel that forcing myself to speak to somebody who maybe doesn’t want to speak to me for different reasons is the right approach.
But I offered. “She added: “If Marta wants to speak with me, like she texted me yesterday, I replied. I’m open to any time to listen, to try to understand, to sympathize.
I believe that empathy in the moment like this is really important, which has, again, been my clear message in the beginning. “Kostyuk had previously criticized Azarenka’s involvement in “Tennis Plays for Peace Exhibition,” a charity match the USTA put on to raise money for Ukraine. “Imagine there is a World War II and there is a fundraiser for Jewish people and a German player wants to play,” Kostyuk said.
“During the war, not 70 years after the war happened. During the war. I don’t think Jewish people would understand.
“Azarenka ultimately did not play in the benefit event last week. “Given the sensitivities to Ukrainian players, and the on-going conflict, we believe this is the right course of action for us,” the USTA announced in a release. Russian and Belarusian players are allowed to compete at the US Open but without their flags and nations being listed.
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From: insider
URL: https://www.insider.com/marta-kostyuk-ukraine-declines-victoria-azarenka-handshake-us-open-2022-9
