There was a bit of tension at the Japan Open in the opening round of the event. The match had an awkward moment in the beginning as Marta Kostyuk was getting ready to face Daria Kasatkina. It was bound to be a close battle as Kostyuk was looking for a third victory in their fourth meeting. Kasatkina had won their last meeting at Birmingham in 2021. Kostyuk started the match by not taking a customary picture at the net.
Kasatkina posed for the picture at the net, and Kostyuk only came at the net when her opponent walked away. Kostyuk, along with Elina Svitolina, has been one of the most outspoken critics of the current Russian-Ukraine conflict. It is unclear why Kostyuk had an issue with Kasatkina as she has been openly opposing the war.“Kostyuk is so annoying WTA needs to step in,” commented a fan after watching the act.
Kostyuk is so annoying WTA needs to step in https://t.co/5HzUppghmM
— Luca🇩🇴 (@nothinglikeluca) September 26, 2023
Umm why they took the photos separately 👽 pic.twitter.com/8cuXwexaN8
— LorenaPopa 🕵️♀️🎾 (@popalorena) September 26, 2023
legit, Dasha can’t even come to Russia because she’s completely against the war what are u doing Kostyuk
— ostaveit (@iamgomas) September 26, 2023
Kotyuk has been clear in her sentiments against Russian/Belarusian players in the past. The 21-year-old refused to shake hands with Victoria Azarenka at last year’s US Open. The Ukrainian had said in January this season that she would not shake hands with Russians and Belarusians. She said that the players should use the platform to speak about it. Kasatkina was one of the first players to do that on a public forum.
Daria Kasatkina clear on her stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has been making things complicated on the WTA tour. Not only the matches but the locker rooms have also seen tense situations between Ukranian and Russian/Belarusian players. The eno handshake policy has been focused much more than the matches on the WTA Tour. Ukrainian tennis federation and its players have even called for a ban on Russian/Belarusian players.
Kasatkina is one of the few brave athletes from Russia who has been an open critic of the war. The 26-year-old has not been to Russia since February last year. She has even been dubbed as a foreign agent by one of the politicians in her country. Kasatkina has not only condemned the war but also sympathized with the Ukrainians. She understood what they were going through and has never spoken against the players.
Me and Elina showed respect to each other after a tough match but leaving the court like that was the worse part of yesterday. Be better, love each other. Don’t spread hate. Try to make this world better💜 I will love RG no matter what, always and forever. See u next year🇫🇷
— Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) June 5, 2023
The Russian just waved hands at the Madrid Open after defeating Ukranian Lesia Tsurenko. Both players exchanged waves at the net. Kasatkina was called brave by Svitolina for her stance on the conflict after defeating the Russian at the Fench Open this season. Kasatkina gave a thumbs up to Svitolina, which she acknowledged. The young Russian has been a lone crusader in the tough times on the tour.