Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk refused to shake the hand of Belarusian Victoria Azarenka after she was defeated in the second round of the US Open 2022.

Marta Kostyuk and Victoria Azarenka did not shake hands at the end of the US Open 2022 matchPhoto: Sarah Stier/Getty images/Profimedia

After the victory of the athlete from Belarus, the score 6-2, 6-3, Kostyuk and Azarenka only touched rackets in greeting.

Marta Kostiuk is angry that Victoria Azarenka did not condemn the position of Belarus in the war in Ukraine

“It was my choice because none of them publicly condemned the events in Ukraine and the actions of their governments. I can’t support that.

Some I had a personal relationship with but they didn’t do anything, and others have a huge fan following all over the world.

But they used it wrong, they didn’t spread the right message that they don’t support what’s going on. I will not accept it and never will.

I never had personal hatred for Azarenka. But she plays a very big role outside of tennis, in Belarus, in the world of tennis. She is a member of the WTA Players Council.

I think she could have done more – at least for the personal relationships between the players. I see her every week. It’s not that I’m talking about her in the press, but she’s somewhere else.

We could develop a personal relationship. It’s an important topic and I think it needed to be done to defuse the atmosphere.” – Marta Kostyukreports Eurosport.

Victoria Azarenka claims that she tried to contact the players who suffered from the war in Ukraine

In response to what happened at the US Open 2022, Azarenka believes that she did her best to help Ukrainian players feel that they were listened to.

“I didn’t have the best relationship with Marta. Obviously we knew who she was, but we never trained with her, never talked to her.

So in March, when it all started, I contacted all the players that I know and with whom I have a good relationship.

Obviously, I mean Ukrainian players. I feel like I shouldn’t force myself to talk to someone who doesn’t even want to talk to me for various reasons.

But I think I had a clear message from the beginning that I was here to try to help, which I did. Many. Maybe some people don’t see it.

I did it for juniors who needed clothes and other people who needed money or transportation.

If Marta wants to talk to me, I will answer her. I am open to listen, understand, I sympathize” – Victoria Azarenka.

In the third round of the US Open-2022, Victoria Azarenka will meet with Petra Martich.​