Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk expressed her lack of respect for Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka due to her stance on the Russia-Ukraine war. The duo recently faced off in the first round of the 2023 French Open, with Sabalenka winning 6-3, 6-2. After the match, it was noted that the two players did not shake hands, something that has become increasingly common in matches involving Russian and Ukrainian players.
Kostyuk Addresses Sabalenka’s Position on the War
During her post-match press conference, Kostyuk commented on remarks Sabalenka had made earlier, where the Belarusian claimed not to be bothered by Kostyuk’s supposed hatred of her. Kostyuk clarified that she doesn’t hate Sabalenka, but cannot respect her due to her position on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Sabalenka has consistently stated that she does not want sports and politics to mix, a stance that Kostyuk finds difficult to understand given the impact the war has on people’s lives, especially in Ukraine.
Using the Platform for Good
Kostyuk went on to suggest that Sabalenka, who has the potential to become World No. 1 if she wins the French Open, could use her platform to educate others about the atrocities committed by Russia in the war, rather than staying silent. Kostyuk believes that by speaking out about the situation, sports stars like Sabalenka can help change the opinions of those in their home countries who may not be aware of the true extent of the conflict.
Calling on Sabalenka to Clarify Her Stance
In addition to her criticism of Sabalenka’s silence on the war, Kostyuk also pointed out that the Belarusian has never explicitly stated that she does not support the war, and urged journalists to push her on this point. Kostyuk expressed her hope that reporters would also ask athletes about their desired outcome of the war, as she suspects that many Russians and Belarusians may not want Ukraine to win. She asked that Sabalenka speak only for herself when discussing the war, as Kostyuk claims personally to know tennis players who support the conflict.
Overall, Marta Kostyuk has taken a strong stance against Aryna Sabalenka and others like her who remain neutral or unclear on their position regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. She has called on such athletes to use their platform to promote awareness and understanding of the conflict, instead of remaining silent or avoiding the topic altogether.
