“I can’t force anybody!” Victoria Azarenka addresses Marta Kostyuk’s decision to deny the customary handshake after the match

Victoria Azarenka, the two-time singles Grand Slam champion made her way into the second round at the 2022 US Open defeating the Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in straight sets. She has been quite inconsistent with her performances lately due to injuries. She became the first Belarusian player to have won a singles Grand Slam title after winning at the Australian Open in 2012. She couldn’t participate in the grasscourt season due to the ban on Russian and Belarus players owing to the war.

She had made a fair start to the hardcourt season reaching the quarter-finals of the Citi Open but failed to keep on with her winning performances as she lost to the Wang Xiyu in straight sets. She further faced some early elimination at the Canadian Open as well as the Western & Southern Open. The three-time US Open finalist expressed her disappointment with the ban on Russian and Belarus players at the 2022 Wimbledon Championship as a missed opportunity to showcase unity in sports.

Also Read: “These are sad days for tennis!” Tennis Twitter severely criticizes the US Open as Victoria Azarenka withdraws from the ‘Tennis Plays For Peace Exhibition’ amid Ukrainian ‘sensitivities’

“Don’t believe in making a big deal about it,” Victoria Azarenka on Marta Kostyuk’s denial to shake hands post-match

Victoria Azarenka is a player council for the WTA Tour and actively participates in taking major decisions. She had to bear the brunt of all the criticism by the Ukrainian players for being less considerate and impartial towards them. After her second-round victory at the US Open, Marta Kostyuk went for a racquet tap instead of the customary handshake which hinted at the level of discomfort between Russian and Ukrainian players.

During the post-match interview, upon being asked about her opinions, Azarenka addressed it as a player’s decision and that she can’t force anyone. She said “Well, I wasn’t surprised. I don’t believe that making a big deal out of it is important. I always shake hands with my opponents. I had the same situation with Yastremska in Washington. It is what it is. I just move on. I cannot force anybody to shake my hand. It’s their decision.”

She even addressed that she doesn’t want to talk about her decision of not playing at the exhibition match prior to the US Open. She said “I don’t play political games, I don’t play media games. That’s not what I’m here for. Twitter is not a place for discussion, the place for discussion is face-to-face. Why wouldn’t I participate in aid for people who are struggling? I thought this is a gesture that shows commitment. I’m not sure why it wasn’t taken that way.“

Also Read: “BRAT” Nick Kyrgios slapped with biggest US Open fine for utterly RIDICULOUS behaviour

Also Read: “GOAT!” Kim Kardashian celebrates Serena Williams’ emphatic farewell run at the US Open