"Shocking": Marta Kostyuk disappointed by Russian colleagues and associations
The Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (WTA No. 54) was disappointed with her tennis colleagues in Indian Wells - and also with the associations.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit:
Mar 11, 2022, 01:02 pm
For the 19-year-old, the WTA, ATP and the world association ITF did too little after Russia invaded Ukraine. "Look at the other sports, the big sport, what was done there. That was right," she said after her opening win in Indian Wells .
For example, while the Russian and Belarusian teams have been banned from the major events by FIFA and UEFA, this has only happened in the field of tennis within the framework of the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. The professionals continue to compete on the tour, only the presentation of the Russian or Belarusian national flag is prohibited.
One cannot be "neutral" in this matter. "The 'no war' statements hurt me because they have no real substance."
Kostyuk: "Unacceptable"
Kostyuk also criticized the behavior of her colleagues. No Russian player has ever come to her and apologized for what her country is doing to her. "One player wrote to me, another spoke to me. But I didn't hear any apologies, nobody said they didn't support what was happening. It's shocking to me."
You don't have to be involved in politics to behave like a human being, Kostyuk said. "Everyone knows what's going on. It hurts me. It hurts me every time I come into a stadium and see all the Russian players. Their only problem right now is that they can't transfer money. They talk about that. It's not acceptable to me. Why are the Russian players behaving like this? I have no explanation, no idea."
Long embrace between Kostyuk and Zanevska
At least there was a nice gesture after the match from Kostyuk: She saved two match balls against Maryna Zanevska and won in the end 6:7 (5), 7:6 (6) and 7:5, in the end there was a long hug between them both players.
Zanevska was born in Ukraine and acquired Belgian citizenship in 2016.
"Her parents are still in Ukraine. It's in a quieter area, but everyone is afraid," Kostyuk explained afterwards. "I told her she played amazingly and everything will be fine. Our parents will be fine."