Source : ABC NEWS
Daria Kasatkina’s switch from Russian tennis to play for Australia has been given the seal of approval from her Ukrainian opponent at the Italian Open.
Marta Kostyuk, one of the women’s tour’s in-form players, made a high-profile point along with many of her fellow Ukrainian players of never shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents after matches in protest at the invasion of her homeland.
That included after a tight loss to world number one Aryna Sabalenka at last week’s Madrid Open, but after defeating Kasatkina for the first time since the world number 15 switched allegiance to Australia in March, Kostyuk was quick to offer her hand at the net.
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After the 6-4, 6-2 second-round win, Kostyuk praised Kasatkina for what she believed was a courageous stand she had taken against Russia.
Kasatkina took permanent Australian residency earlier this year, having criticised Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws as well as the war against Ukraine.
“It’s always nice to shake hands with someone I respect,” Kostyuk said after the match, adding that she hoped Kasatkina would continue to speak out against the war now she had the “freedom” to do so.
Kasatkina made the switch from representing Russia to Australia in late March. (Getty Images: Robert Prange)
Russian and Belarusian players are still playing under no flags at tournaments due to the war.
“When someone not only tells the truth — calling Russia the aggressor — but also acts on it, that deserves respect,” the 22-year-old noted in an Instagram post before the match.
“Daria Kasatkina has clearly spoken out against the war and made the decision to give up her Russian sports citizenship.
“This takes courage — and I acknowledge it. I hope this is not the final step but part of a deeper commitment.
“I stand with Ukraine. I stand for truth, for dignity, and for those who choose to speak and act — when staying quiet would be easier.”
Kasatkina has constantly said how much she has appreciated the support from her peers since her switch, but now playing in her third tournament as an Australian, she has not had much joy on the court with her record in the green-and-gold now reading two wins and three defeats.
Elsewhere around the Foro Italico courts, Sabalenka, fresh from her Madrid Open triumph over Coco Gauff, opened with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Anastasia Potapova, while Gauff herself had to work hard for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over Canadian qualifier Victoria Mboko.
AAP
