Ukraine star Svitolina accuses Sabalenka of ‘inflaming tensions’ at French Open

Elina Svitolina has accused Aryna Sabalenka of inflaming tensions after their French Open quarter-finals by ready on the internet for a handshake and stated she anticipated to be booed by the French crowd for refusing. The Ukrainian was crushed 6-4 6-4 by the Belarusian world No 2 as Sabalenka continued her spectacular successful streak of 12 matches at Majors and he or she refused to shake palms after Sabalenka approached her on the internet.

Svitolina has refused to shake the palms of any Russian and Belarusian gamers for the reason that warfare in her homeland. And anti-war Russian No.1 Daria Kastkina didn’t supply after the final spherical.

But the Australian Open champion waited on the internet after her win on Court Philippe-Chatrier at this time. When Svitolina ignored her and simply hook palms with the umpire, she was booed by sections of the group.

“I don’t know, to be fair, what she was waiting, because my statements were clear enough about the handshake,” stated Svitolina.

“My initial reaction, don’t know, was like, what are you doing (smiling)? Because, yeah, all my press conference I say my clear position. So I don’t know.

“Maybe she’s not on social media during the tournaments, but it is pretty clear. I made multiple statements that I’m not shaking hands, and she played obviously Marta as well the first round. So is quite simple, you know.

Asked about the booing, she added: “It was quite expected. I was expecting that. Whoever in this situation loses, I guess, gets booed, so I was expecting that. It was not a surprise for me.

Asked if Sabelenka’s actions had inflamed the situation, Svitolina said: “Yeah, I think so, unfortunately.”