There was no handshake between Marta Kostyuk and Mira Andreeva after the French Open semi-final, a scene that has become common whenever the Ukrainian faces Russian opponents. The decision was expected, as Kostyuk has consistently refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players after matches since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.After the match ended, both players recognized each other from a distance but did not meet at the net. The gesture has become a symbolic way for Kostyuk to show support for his country during the ongoing conflict.Kostyuk is one of Ukraine’s most vocal players on the women’s tour regarding war. Along with fellow Ukrainians Elina Svitolina and Diana Yastremska, she has repeatedly refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents.Regardless of the importance of the tournament or the match, his position has not changed. A similar incident occurred at the Madrid Open earlier this year when Kostyuk defeated Andreeva in the final and walked off the court without participating in the traditional handshake.See:In addition to his performance in court, Kostyuk has spoken regularly about the impact of the war on people in Ukraine. After reaching French Open In the semi-final, he dedicated the victory to the Ukrainians and revealed that his first reaction to the latest events back home was to watch out for his family’s safety.The world number 15 has also stressed the importance of athletes speaking out about the conflict, saying it helps keep the global focus on the humanitarian impact of war. While handshakes are traditionally seen as a sign of sportsmanship in tennis, Kostivka stands by her stance.
