Paula Badosa Explains Cold Handshake With Ex-Friend Marta Kostyuk
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Paula Badosa and Marta Kostyuk had an epic third-round battle at the Australian Open. However, the handshake between the two was frosty, and the Spaniard explained why afterward.
Badosa fought for three sets on the Kia Arena against Kostyuk. After a match that could have gone either way, the Spaniard won 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 after making her greater firepower pay in the deciding set.
A few years ago, Badosa and Kostyuk almost certainly would have embraced warmly at the net. They used to share a close friendship and supported each other off the court with the stresses of the WTA Tour and tennis overall.
However, things are very different now. The cold handshake between them, which can be seen below, evidences this. Kostyuk does not look her former friend in the eye during it before walking away quickly.
The frostiness was definitely initiated by Kostyuk. Badosa tried to look her in the eyes during the handshake, but the Ukrainian wanted to complete the moment without eye contact or exchanging words.
Badosa was asked why the handshake was cold in a press conference after the match. Last year's US Open quarterfinalist confirmed that Kostyuk was responsible for what happened and mentioned Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the related stress as one reason for her actions.
"No, I mean, it’s just her. I think she has her own things going on with Ukraine, the war, and all the things she’s been very vocal and…I’m not in that, honestly. It was a bit that and maybe that she lost a tough match."
At first glance, Badosa's mention of Ukraine indicates that Kostyuk's understandable anxiety about what is happening to her homeland means her mood has been impacted, leading to the unfriendly handshake.
However, there may be a deeper reason for the reference. Badosa is a very close friend of Belarusian world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who also reached the fourth round of the Australian Open. The Belarusian government has vocally and directly supported Russia's illegal actions in Ukraine.
Kostyuk has a hardline stance about Russian and Belarusian athletes. She believes all ATP and WTA players from the countries should be banned until Russia stops what it is doing in Ukraine. The Ukrainian No. 1 also said she would never shake hands again with opponents from the countries.
While it is important to note that it has not been officially confirmed, Badosa's friendship with Sabalenka seems to be a likely cause of her and Kostyuk no longer being close friends. They were still close in 2021, the year before the Ukraine war started.
It seems unlikely that Badosa and Kostyuk will ever rebuild their friendship. While some may not agree with Kostyuk's stance, it cannot be denied that she has clear principles that she is sticking to as her country is attacked.
Badosa will face Olga Danilovic for a place in the Australian Open quarterfinal. The Serbian caused an upset against Jessica Pegula, and presents a stiff challenge to Badosa. It should be a great contest.
