"I don’t know if it’s not clear for people": Statement to confirm no handshakes route to go believes Svitolina after Azarenka booing

Sunday, 09 July 2023 at 23:10

Marred by Victoria Azarenka being booed, a moment that should've seen Elina Svitolina celebrating back-to-back Grand Slam Quarter-Finals was quickly soured after a Wimbledon epic on Court One.

Svitolina believes that the only route to go down potentially is for tennis organisations (ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slams) to release a statement clarifying that there will be no handshake between these players.

Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainians have decided not to shake hands with Russians which was respected by many barring the odd incident including when Marta Kostyuk won her maiden title up until Roland Garros.

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The French Open saw even Kostyuk booed for not shaking Sabalenka's hand as well as Daria Kasatkina who is known to be against the war and even seeking to represent another country.

Up until now, there had been no instances but Svitolina believes that some may be ignorant to what the decision of the Ukrainian players is. Azarenka herself rubbished the notion too that she was the victim in this.

“I think tennis organizations have to come out with a statement that there will be no handshake between Russian & Belarusian & Ukrainians. I don’t know if it’s not clear for people. I think this is the right way," said Svitolina in her post match press conference.

Second most 'happiest moment' of Svitolina's life

Next up is Iga Swiatek for Svitolina and post match beating Azarenka was up there in terms of her life achievements only behind having a baby, Skai last year.

"I think after having my daughter, this is the happiest moment in my life. It was extremely tough. When I was 0-2 down in set 2, I heard you guys cheering for me. I almost wanted to cry."

She also thought of Ukraine during the tough moments and that she thought she just had to fight amid the tough times.

"I was thinking back home there's lots of people watching. It's shivering for me. Any moment they can get of happiness.. it’s these kinds of matches you go through. There’s tough times in Ukraine. I can’t complain. I just have to fight."

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Elina Svitolina on crowd booing Azarenka: “I think tennis organizations have to come out with a statement that there will be no handshake between Russian & Belarusian & Ukrainians. I don’t know if it’s not clear for people. I think this is the right way.”

9:07 PM · Jul 9, 2023

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