Dayana Yastremska lost 6-2, 7-5 to Donna Vekic to exit the French Open on Monday with the simmering conflict between Ukrainian and Belarus and Russian players reaching the boiling point.
The 14th-ranked Yastremska said that her countrywomen would continue to snub players from the aggressor nations which invaded Ukraine in February, 2022.
The No. 144 made no apologies for the hardline stand as the war drags on at home.
“I’m Ukrainian, I’m supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian girls.
“Since the war started, Ukrainians said that we’re not going to shake hands (of) Russians and Belarusian players.
“There’s nothing surprising for everybody.
“How people reacted and that Marta didn’t shake the hand against Sabalenka, well, I actually didn’t expect this
reaction (booing Ukrainian Kostyuk).
“That wasn’t really nice.”
Yastremska said she follows the protocol set by her compatriots on court: “I played against Russians, and I also didn’t shake the hand.
“That’s our position, and everybody knew about this, there is nothing wrong about it.
“If we play against Russian and Belarusian, it doesn’t matter which tournament, we’re not going to shake the hands.
Main photo:- Daria Yastremska by WTATennis.com
