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During the Rome tennis tournament, Marta Kostyuk won against Daria Kasatkina (6-4, 6-2), this Friday, May 9. At the end of the meeting, the Ukrainian, very engaged against the war, shakes hands with his Russian opponent, a first since the start of the war in 2022.
Marta Kostyuk has always refused to shake hands with her Russian or Belarusian opponents, since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. She decided to make an exception, this Friday, May 9 for the Russian Daria Kasatkina after having beat her 6-4 6-2 in the second round of WTA 1,000 in Rome.
ud83cuddfaud83cudde6Marta Kostyuk defeats No. 14 seed ud83cudde6ud83cuddfaDaria Kasatkina 6-4, 6-2 to reach the third round in Rome!
Kostyuk came back from 2-4 down in the opening set and ended a four-match losing streak in their head-to-head — her first win over Kasatkina since April 2021.
She equals her best… pic.twitter.com/X1J4PY9GuU
— Ukrainian Tennis • BTU (@ukrtennis_eng) https://twitter.com/ukrtennis_eng/status/1920879178594840676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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The latter left Russia for Australia, and has never returned to her native country for over two years, after revealing her homosexuality. Kasatkina opposed the war several times in Ukraine. She said Kasatkina: “I am alongside Ukraine. I defend the truth, dignity and those who choose to speak and act, when it would be easier to be silent.”
Marta Kostyuk Gets a Very Good Win Against Daria Kasatkina 6-4, 6-2.
And YES, there was an handshake between the Ukrainian and the Russian who now is representing Australia. pic.twitter.com/nJTbrNhYSH
– José Morgado (@josemorgado) https://twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1920877282765238648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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On Instagram, Kostyuk wrote to respect the Russian decision to refer to the Russian invasion: “Since the start of the war, I have chosen not to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players … But when someone not only tells the truth … By calling Russia as an aggressor – but acts accordingly, that deserves respect.”
