"I wasn't surprised" - Azarenka not bothered by Kostyuk refusing hanshake

Marta Kostyuk does not have the best opinion of Victoria Azarenka and she showed it by opting for a racquet tap after the match.

Kostyuk criticized Azarenka a few times since she's Belarusian and her country is supporting Russia's malicious intentions in Ukraine, the home of Kostyuk. She recently spoke out against her after Vika was confirmed for the US Open Ukraine charity event resulting in her eventually being removed from the event.

Azarenka admitted after the match that she wasn't surprised and gave a pretty thoughtful response anticipating a question about it:

"I wasn't surprised. I don't believe that making a big deal out of it is important. I always shake hands with my opponents. I had the same situation with [Dayana] Yastremska in Washington. It is what it is. I just move on. I cannot force anybody to shake my hand."

She added that it's not the most important thing in the world:

"It's their decision. How did it make me feel? It's not the most important thing in the world right now. I don't need to sit here and pat myself on the back. I know very clearly of my actions. I don't think that, with all due respect, I don't think she has any idea of what I do on the player council because she's not there."