Ukrainian Tennis Players Refuse Handshakes with Belarusian Opponents

Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina make a statement against Belarus's role in the war in Ukraine

Aryna Sabalenka condemns her country's actions but says she's not a political pawn

Ukrainian tennis players Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina have refused to shake hands with their Belarusian opponents, Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka, at recent tournaments. The move is a protest against Belarus's role in the war in Ukraine.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia, and its troops have been involved in the invasion of Ukraine. Kostyuk and Svitolina say that they cannot shake hands with players from a country that is supporting Russia's aggression.

"I'm not going to shake hands with someone who's supporting the war," Kostyuk said after her match against Sabalenka at the French Open.

Svitolina echoed Kostyuk's comments, saying that she "can't shake hands with someone who's supporting the killing of innocent people."

Sabalenka has condemned her country's role in the war, but she says that she is not a political pawn.

"I'm not a politician," Sabalenka said. "I'm a tennis player. I don't want to talk about politics."

However, Kostyuk and Svitolina say that Sabalenka's silence is complicity.

"She's not just a tennis player," Kostyuk said. "She's a public figure, and she has a responsibility to speak out against the war."

The handshake controversy is the latest example of the war in Ukraine spilling over into the world of sports. It is a reminder that the conflict is not just a political issue, but a human one as well.