“Happy for Her, But Not Friends: Kostyuk on Handshake Decision with Kasatkina”

The 27th-ranked Ukrainian tennis player, Marta Kostyuk, shared her perspective on her decision to shake hands with former Russian athlete Daria Kasatkina, who now competes for Australia.

“I was very happy for her and her choice, but I wouldn’t call us friends. I think we are colleagues, like all players on the tour. There’s nothing official about it. Not much has changed; she now represents Australia, and I’m happy to shake her hand.

I believe it depends on people’s values—what you stand for, what you support, and how you can reconcile your choices with yourself. Everyone is different. Of course, I cannot make decisions for others, but I think she is a great example of how to navigate a very challenging situation that life presents,” Kostyuk said, as reported by Tennis.com.

In the second round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome, Italy, Kostyuk defeated Kasatkina with a score of 6-4, 6-2. Earlier, Marta expressed that Kasatkina’s stance on global events resonates with her, and she acknowledged Daria’s courage. Ukrainian athletes have repeatedly declined to shake hands after matches with representatives from Russia and Belarus, and often with those who have changed their citizenship as well.