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Another controversial episode between a Ukrainian and a Russian tennis player: Marta Kostyuk refused to take a pre-match photo with Daria Kasatkina. A position that continues beyond the missing handshake at the end of the match.
The incident happened during their first round match at the 2023 Toray Pan Pacific Open, in Japan.
And obviously it symbolizes the choice of the Ukrainian players not to shake hands and, in general, to break off any relationship with the Russian and Belarusian players.
This has obviously been happening since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the start of the bloody conflict.
Marta took a separate photo at the net from her opponent. Daria Kasatkina has always and immediately supported the Ukrainian protests and has always condemned Russia’s actions.
Yet, incredibly, her Ukrainian opponents, instead of appreciating the behavior of the strong tennis player, continue to ignore her.
Kasatkina then won the match 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. The two players did not shake hands after the match, as is now customary between tennis players from these two countries.
A good comeback from Daria Kasatkina as she recovered from a set and a break down to beat Marta Kostyuk 3-6,…
