Ukrainian tennis player booed for not shaking hands with Belarusian opponent – ​​POLITICO

Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk was booed after refusing to shake hands with her Belarusian opponent during the Roland Garros tournament in Paris on Sunday.

Tensions arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine took center stage in the international tennis championship as Kostyuk took on Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, who is number two in the women’s tennis rankings and one favorites for the final victory, in the first round.

Kostyuk, 20, previously criticized the tennis authorities’ decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete as neutrals after the conflict in Ukraine began, and has since refused to shake hands with his Russian and Belarusian opponents .

Crowds in Paris booed the Ukrainian tennis player on Sunday after she walked away from Sabalenka at the end of the match.

Sabalenka was cheered on by fans as she bowed out at the end of the game. The Belarusian player told reporters she understands her opponents’ decision not to shake hands.

“I imagine if they’re going to shake hands with Russians and Belarusians, then they’re going to get so many messages from their home country,” Sabalenka said after the game.

“If she hates me, okay. I can’t do anything about it,” she added.