Ukrainian star booed as she snubs Sabalenka handshake in French Open drama

Marta Kostyuk brought about a stir in her French Open first spherical tie towards Aryna Sabalenka after snubbing her within the post-match handshake. Boos rang out from the gang because the Ukrainian star walked off court docket with out acknowledging her Belarusian opponent following her defeat in what proved to be a dramatic begin to the primary day of Roland Garros on Sunday.

Sabalenka eased previous Kostuk with a 6-3 6-2 victory in one of many first matches to be performed at this 12 months’s Grand Slam in Paris, and the match had generated large anticipation because of the political connotations concerned with a Ukraine and Belarus participant going face to face.

And Kostyuk was positive to make her assertion by refusing to shake fingers with Sabalenka after the match completed.

The post-match embrace is conventional amongst skilled tennis gamers, however the 20-year-old was in no temper to hold round for the world No 2 on the internet.

Booes rang out round Court Phillip-Chatrier because the Ukrainian thanked the umpire and walked straight to her chair – and Sabalenka seemed confused over the goal of the gang’s anger and made a sarcastic bow.

The Australian Open champion then appeared to hunt clarification from her entourage and she or he then walked again out into the court docket to just accept loud applause.

And when Kostyuk then walked off to extra jeers and boos, it turned clear the French crowd disapproved of her political gesture.

In her courtside interview, Sabalenka stated: “It was a very tough match, I mean tough emotionally. I’m sorry guys, I didn’t get it at first, I thought this booing was against me so I was a little surprised. But then I felt your support, so thank you so much.”