‘What can I do?’ Sabalenka brushes off handshake snub

Marta Kostyuk’s run to the Brisbane Worldwide closing was exceptional for a lot of causes.

The 23-year-old Ukrainian had a comparatively disappointing 2025, solely making three quarterfinal appearances throughout the season. 

However in Brisbane, she recorded victories over top-10-ranked opponents, beating quantity two seed Amanda Anisimova, quantity six seed Mirra Andreeva, and fourth seed Jessica Pegula to make her first WTA closing look in 21 months.

Within the closing, nonetheless, she got here unstuck, shedding in straight units towards world primary Aryna Sabalenka. 

Taking part in Sabalenka has at all times been a problem for Kostyuk.

The pair have met 5 occasions now, with the Belarusian successful on all 5 events.

There are additionally tensions between the pair off-court.

Sabalenka soars to second-successive Brisbane title

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Belarus has been an energetic supporter of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, prompting Kostyuk to take a stance of refusing to shake the hand of any Russian or Belarusian participant she confronted.

Earlier than the ultimate, organisers confirmed there could be no joint {photograph} of the gamers earlier than or after the match to keep away from any doubt.

On court docket, following the defeat, the world quantity 20 pointedly refused to acknowledge Sabalenka in any means, utilizing her post-match on-court interview to as a substitute spotlight the plight of her fellow Ukranians within the midst of a troublesome winter.

“I need to say a number of phrases about Ukraine,” Kostyuk mentioned.

“I play on daily basis with a ache in my coronary heart. There are millions of people who find themselves with out mild and heat water proper now, it is minus-20 levels outdoors proper now, so it is very, very painful to reside this actuality on daily basis.

“I used to be extremely moved and joyful to see so many Ukrainian followers and flags right here this week … slava Ukraini.”

Within the post-match press convention, she elaborated additional, saying it was her obligation to speak about Ukraine.

“I feel it is necessary for me to make use of my platform in the correct means, and my platform is Ukraine, as a result of I symbolize Ukraine, so I feel it is actually necessary to speak about that,” she mentioned.

“I feel, I’ve such publicity, so many individuals observe me, so many individuals look as much as me … I’ve simply discovered with the battle and all the pieces that is happening that it is actually necessary to face up for issues and to speak about them, whether or not it is battle, whether or not it is different beliefs, or the place that you’ve, it doesn’t matter what it’s, if it is what you consider in, it’s important to discuss it. 

“I am right here, I do my job, in fact, that is crucial factor, however on the similar time, the fact again dwelling may be very, very totally different. 

“So I simply, I really feel like I can not ignore it, and I’ve to share it. I’ve platform for this, and I’ve voice.

“In my place, it isn’t OK to not discuss it. It is simply, I imply, it is simply gonna be inhumane for me.”

Sabalenka has spoken out towards the battle previously.

“No-one on this world, Russian or Belarusian athletes, helps the battle. No person,” Sabalenka mentioned in 2023 on the French Open, when Kostyuk was booed for not shaking Sabalenka’s hand.

“If we may cease it, we might, however, sadly, it isn’t in our fingers.”

In Brisbane on Sunday, Sabalenka praised Kostyuk on court docket, earlier than saying the stance of Ukraine’s gamers on shaking her hand was their determination.

“It is their place. What can I do? I do not thoughts that. I do not care about that,” Sabalenka mentioned.

“After I go into the match, it is all about tennis and sport.

“After I go on the market, I take into consideration my tennis and the issues I’ve to do to get the win. Does not matter if it is Marta Kostyuk or Jessica Pegula there. I nonetheless go on the market, and I nonetheless strive my greatest, and I will nonetheless struggle for the trophy.

“I’ve nothing to show. I’m going there and I simply compete as an athlete.”

There was extra off-court beef referring to the pair aside from geopolitical points, too.

Late final yr, Kostyuk was quoted as saying gamers like Sabalenka and world quantity two Iga Świątek had a bonus as a result of they’d extra testosterone than different gamers.

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As Sabalenka sealed the victory, she pointedly kissed each biceps whereas her opponent, though she later mentioned the gesture was an in-joke between members of her workforce.

Kostyuk mentioned she had been misquoted and that the state of affairs was “unhappy” when requested about it in Brisbane.

However she didn’t apologise.

“If I had mentioned one thing fallacious, I by no means have an issue to apologise, or to achieve out to somebody or no matter,” Kostyuk mentioned after her semifinal victory.

“However this was not the case in any respect … I knew what I mentioned, so I used to be OK.”