Kostyuk from Ukraine Refuses to Shake Hands with Russian and Belarusian Players

Despite the relentless bombardment of Russian missiles on Ukraine, Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine’s number two tennis player, stands firm on her decision not to shake hands with opponents from Russia and Belarus who haven’t condemned the invasion.

The 20-year-old Kyiv native made waves last year by refusing to shake hands with Victoria Azarenka after a match at the US Open.

Now, after upsetting 28th seeded American Amanda Anisimova at the Australian Open, Kostyuk reiterated her stance in an interview with Reuters.

“I haven’t changed my stance regarding the war and everything happening on tour,” she emphasized. “When people just say they don’t want war, it can sound like we’re the ones seeking conflict. Obviously, we want peace too.”

Only Wimbledon has taken the step to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competition, resulting in a $1 million fine imposed by the men’s tour. At Melbourne Park this year, Russian and Belarusian players are permitted to compete without displaying their flags.

“Those who speak out clearly have every right to be on tour, but those who don’t… I don’t think it’s humane,” Kostyuk asserted. She revealed that she avoids interaction with Russian and Belarusian players, stating, “I barely even say ‘hi’ to them.”

Kostyuk’s immediate family remains in Kyiv, including her father and grandfather. Despite the ongoing stress of being outside Ukraine, she remains connected to the grim reality of the war through regular updates from her mother.

“It’s scary how we’ve all grown accustomed to the horror of war,” Kostyuk reflected. She recounted visiting Kyiv in October and narrowly leaving before missile strikes hit the city center.

She described how her mother shared plans to sneak in coffees with their neighbor before anticipated missile strikes—a chilling look into daily life despite the conflict.

Despite the hardships, Kostyuk affirmed her unwavering resolve to return to Ukraine, even in unsafe conditions, believing strongly in her country’s eventual triumph.

“If we didn’t have this belief, we wouldn’t stand a chance,” she declared. “It’s a long road ahead with many losses and tragedies, including many innocent lives. But this is our destiny, and we must rise again, stronger than ever.”