Join Kostyuk's rally against using 'Russia's murderous flag' in tennis events
WTAMonday, 22 January 2024 at 12:49
Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk has urged the media to
stop using the Russian flag after Australian Open management decided to use it in
the ongoing competition.
Both Ukraine and Russia have been involved in an armed conflict
since 2022 which has resulted in the loss of lives on both sides.
Kostyuk, who recently defeated Maria Timofeeva of Russia in
the fourth-round tie of the first Grand Slam of the year in straight sets with
a score of 6-2, 6-1, was highly critical of Australian Open management for
using the flag of what she called ‘a murderous country’ in a post on social
media platform X — previously known as Twitter.
“As you know, with the beginning of the full-scale invasion,
we fought for the suspension of the Russian and Belarusian athletes,” she
wrote. “Now they act in a neutral status, without their flags. We have repeatedly
asked the question what is the status of a neutral athlete because it actually does
not exist.
“So today, after my victory over the athlete from the aggressor
country, the Russian flag was published on the official resource of one of the
biggest tennis tournaments in the world. Today is the 697th day of
full-scale war. And the sports world continues to promote a murderous country.
A country that uses its athletes as a part of its propaganda.
“I call on media representatives, officials and the sports
community to stop using the tennis court to promote ‘Russian Peace’.”
Kostyuk will now face America’s Coco Gauff in the quarterfinal
of the Australian Open on Monday.
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