A dramatic incident unfolded at Roland Garros as Marta Kostyuk, the Ukrainian tennis player, caused a stir by refusing to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus following their first-round match at the French Open.

Kostyuk’s avoidance of eye contact and failure to extend her hand resulted in a resounding chorus of boos and whistles from the spectators, leaving her taken aback by the unexpected response. When questioned about the incident, Kostyuk expressed her surprise and criticized the crowd’s behavior, stating, “I have to say I didn’t expect it… People should be, honestly, embarrassed.”

The Ukrainian athlete went on to explain the underlying reason for her actions, referring to reports from Kyiv about a deadly drone attack allegedly carried out by Russia. Given Belarus’ association with Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Kostyuk found it challenging to put her emotions aside while stepping onto the court. Enhance your tennis viewing experience with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.

She acknowledged that although she has been working on compartmentalizing her feelings, the situation still permeates her daily life. Reflecting on the incident, she said, “There is not much to say, really. It’s just part of my life.”

Sabalenka, on the other hand, initially misunderstood the crowd’s reaction, assuming that it was directed at her personally. Feeling perplexed, she sought clarification from the chair umpire, questioning what was happening. Only later did she realize that the spectators may not have been aware of the Ukrainian players’ decision to refrain from shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents due to the political tensions. Sabalenka interpreted the crowd’s response as a sign of disrespect towards her.

The conflict and the prospect of playing against a Ukrainian opponent made the day emotionally challenging for Sabalenka. She expressed her concerns, stating, “You’re playing against a Ukrainian, and you never know what’s going to happen. You never know how people will – will they support you or not? I was worried, like, people will be against me, and I don’t like to play when people are so much against me.” She reiterated her stance against the war, emphasizing that she, like everyone else, would do anything possible to stop it.

Kostyuk questioned Sabalenka’s reluctance to openly express her personal non-support for the war, wondering why it was a difficult situation. Highlighting the imminent dangers she faces back in Ukraine, including the threat of drones and missiles, Kostyuk emphasized the urgency of the situation.

Moving forward, Sabalenka, seeded second in the tournament, will face fellow Belarusian qualifier Iryna Shymanovich in the second round at Roland Garros. The incident has shed light on the complexities and tensions surrounding the players from Ukraine and Belarus in the current political climate. Follow Nextbet Sports to get all the latest updates from the world of Tennis.