(Paris) Five days after the Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk with the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, Elina Svitolina did not shake hands with her Russian opponent Anna Blinkova after her victory on Friday at Roland-Garros, but nevertheless sent her a small friendly gesture .
Victorious in this match of the third round 2-6, 6-2, 7-5, Svitolina approached the net where her opponent was waiting for her, before giving her a thumbs up.
Boos then descended from the stands of the Simonne-Mathieu court, without it being possible to say with certainty to whom they were intended. These boos were quickly drowned out by applause for Svitolina, who was very supportive throughout the game.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it has been common for Ukrainian women not to shake hands with their Russian and Belarusian opponents on the circuit in protest at the response of world tennis bodies, that they find them too accommodating with regard to the athletes of the two allied countries.
“It started with the Ukrainian government going to meetings where Russians were also present, and refusing to shake hands with them because they did not share the same values and did not agree with what they were doing in our country. That’s why we do it, ”said Svitolina after her match.
“I am Ukrainian, I do everything I can to support […] those who are on the front lines, who are fighting for our country, our lands, she added. Now imagine these people seeing me acting like nothing happened… What the Russians are doing to our country is truly awful. »
In the round of 16, Svitolina will find another Russian, Daria Kasatkina, who has repeatedly taken a stand against the war in Ukraine. “I thank her for taking this position, said Svitolina on this subject. This is what is expected of others (Russian and Belarusian players). It’s very brave of him. »
On Sunday, after the first match played on center court, Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk completely ignored Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka after her defeat, drawing boos from the public.
“People should be ashamed! “, had then declared Kostyuk.
