The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has created tensions in the sporting world, and this was evident in a recent tennis match at the Miami Open. Anastasia Potapova, a Russian player, defeated Marta Kostyuk from Ukraine. However, Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Potapova after the match.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has had recent repercussions in the tennis world. Anastasia Potapova, a Russian player, was warned by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for wearing a Spartak Moscow football shirt during her match against Jessica Pegula at the Indian Wells tournament. This incident occurred prior to her match against Marta Kostyuk at the Miami Open.
Marta Kostyuk, who has also refused to shake hands with Russian players Varvara Gracheva and Victoria Azarenka in the past, stated that there is tension between her and Potapova due to the ongoing conflict between their countries. Kostyuk acknowledged that they are not friends and that their countries are currently at war.
Potapova, on the other hand, had justified her decision to wear the Spartak Moscow football shirt, saying “There was not any political intention in this shirt. It’s very sad that people seeing things that isn’t actually the truth. I’m just a super fan of Spartak since I was 10 years old. My dad built part of the stadium for this team, so it’s our family thing.” In the next round, Potapova will face Coco Gauff from the United States, who defeated Rebecca Marino from Canada with a score of 6-4, 6-3.
Anastasia Potapova defeats Marta Kostyuk in a tense match at the Miami Open
In a highly charged match at the Miami Open, Anastasia Potapova emerged victorious over Marta Kostyuk, despite the recent controversy surrounding the Russian player. Potapova had caused controversy by wearing a Spartak Moscow jersey prior to her match against Pegula at Indian Wells, which drew significant criticism on social media.
Iga Swiatek commented on the situation, expressing her surprise that Potapova was allowed to wear the Spartak Moscow jersey. Potapova defended herself, stating that it was not meant as a statement or provocation, although it was clear that Kostyuk had taken notice of it.
Due to her strong stance against Russian players and the ongoing war in her country, Kostyuk has been one of the most outspoken critics of the sport. As a result, the match between Kostyuk and Potapova was particularly charged. However, Potapova emerged as the clear winner, winning both sets with a comfortable 6-1, 6-3 scoreline. There was no handshake or exchange of pleasantries between the two players at the end of the match, with both simply leaving the court.
Also Read: Miami Open 2023: Coco Gauff vs Anastasia Potapova Live Stream, Match Timing, Prediction, and Preview
