Kostyuk Hits Back at Sabalenka Amidst Locker Room Hate
WTA
A cloud of tension has settled over the locker room as Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk addressed the recent comments made by Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.
Sabalenka had previously stated that she felt an unprecedented level of hate in the locker room on the WTA Tour, a statement that has ignited a heated conversation within the tennis community.
In response to these remarks, Kostyuk has opened up about the strained relationship between Ukrainian players and their Russian and Belarusian counterparts.
It comes at a time when the two countries are in an armed conflict, after Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February this year, with Belarus' support. This created tensions also between the players from these countries, as they seemingly can't agree on some things.
While admitting that she may not always engage in pleasantries with other players amidst the ongoing war, Kostyuk clarified that her presence alone could be perceived as spreading hate.
According to the Ukrainian player, she may omit contact with some of the players, but she wouldn't go out of her way to spread the hate or approach the players from countries in question.
"I might not say 'Hi' to some players, but I never approached anyone. Maybe I myself spread hate just by being there. I don't know when people come out with that. But obviously there is tension - we're not friends. We are at war at the moment."
Though Kostyuk acknowledged the tensions present in the locker room, she maintained that she had never directly confronted anyone. The Ukrainian player's statement serves as a reminder that athletes, like any other individuals, are affected by the events unfolding in their home countries.
Kostyuk is very vocal about her beliefs as she refused to shake hands with her Russian opponent Anastasia Potapova at Miami Open, and later, she also slammed the WTA for ignoring Ukrainian players.
