WATCH: Ukraine's Kostyuk doesn't shake hands with Belarusian Azarenka at US Open
WTAThursday, 01 September 2022 at 23:05
Updated at Tuesday, 28 January 2025 at 13:41
Kostyuk and Azarenka met in the second round of the New York Slam, and it was an anticipated match for many reasons. First and foremost, both are great players, and fans expected an exciting match.
However, there was also another reason. Already prior to the tournament, Azarenka, who represents Belarus, wanted to participate in a charity event dedicated to helping Ukraine, but Kostyuk didn't want her to participate.
As faith would have it, they met at the US Open. Azarenka won the match 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 29 minutes. After the match, Kostyuk didn't shake her opponent's hand despite Azarenka clearly stating her opinion on the war many times.
Still, Kostyuk tapped Azarenka's racket, showing some kind of respect. After the match, Azarenka spoke about the situation, saying it didn't surprise her at all.
"I wasn’t surprised. I don’t believe that making a big deal out of it is important. I always shake hands with my opponents. I had the same situation with Yastremska in Washington. It is what it is. I just move on. I cannot force anybody to shake my hand. It’s their decision."
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"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. 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."
"I feel like I’ve had a very clear message from the beginning, is that I’m here to try to help, which I have done a lot. Maybe not something that people see. And that’s not what I do it for."
"I do it for people who in need, juniors who need clothes, other people who need money or other people who needed transportation or whatever. That’s what is important to me, to help people are in need."
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