"She not even representing Ukraine": Ukraine born Zanevska slammed by tennis fans for snubbing Sabalenka handshake in final career match

Fans criticized Maryna Zanevska after the no-handshake incident with Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open.

The 30-year-old Belgian faced Belarusian Sabalenka in the first round at Flushing Meadows. World No. 2 had no trouble defeating Zanevska with a score of 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and nineteen minutes.

After the match, Ukraine-born Zanevska refused to shake hands with her opponent, similar to other Ukrainian tennis players like Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk. The controversy arose in what is also Zanevska's last match of her career, as she recently announced her retirement after the 2023 US Open.

Read also

Ajla Tomljanovic marks return to WTA Tour at US Open by treating Auger-Aliassime and girlfriend to dinner

Sabalenka herself had words for her opponent and her retirement, wishing her all the best for the future:

"I felt so sorry for her and I think she played great match and this is… I mean this a great match to finish her career and I wish she could play many more years but it is how it is and I wish her all the best in her next chapter," Sabalenka said.

Read also

"I don't regret talking the way I did": Gauff believes she was right in showing disapproval to chair umpire in Siegemund controversy

The situation caught the attention of several fans on social media, who criticized the Belgian representative for taking the stance of Ukrainian players, considering that she competes under a different flag:

"No handshake between Ukraine-born Zanevska and Sabalenka -- who looked surprised by that. That's Maryna's last career match. Looked quite emotional in the end," wrote journalist Jose Morgado, opening the door to fan opinions.

"ZANEVSKA loves Ukraine so much and yet she plays under a different flag. The irony," the user wrote.

"Not sure in my final match of my career if I’d have done that but okay," the user tweeted.

OhMeh

@CAEZMEH

·Follow

Replying to @josemorgado

Not sure in my final match of my career if I’d have done that but okay

27

Reply

Copy link

Read 1 reply

"I honestly need someone to ask these Ukrainian(-born) players 1) what they think about bigotry 2) to explain how their current behaviour/attitude towards RUS/BLR is not bigoted 3) whether they think family/friends of RUS players’d be safe if they spoke out against the war/gov."

lia

@liaadee

·Follow

I honestly need someone to ask these Ukrainian(-born) players 1) what they think about bigotry 2) to explain how their current behaviour/attitude towards RUS/BLR is not bigoted 3) whether they think family/friends of RUS players’d be safe if they spoke out against the war/gov.

José Morgado

@josemorgado

No handshake between Ukraine-born Zanevska and Sabalenka -- who looked surprised by that. That's Maryna's last career match. Looked quite emotional in the end.

2

Reply

Copy link

Read 1 reply

Here are some other rections from the fans:

Naive Nestling

@naivenestling

·Follow

Replying to @josemorgado

No handshake seems the only way for Ukrainian players to display their patriotism

11

Reply

Copy link

Read 3 replies

Bonn Love Sports

@Zangerstein

·Follow

Replying to @josemorgado

Okay... At first it was okay to still “try” and shake hands, but after months of being refused - her not getting the message (which is impossible for her not to know, given the continuous presscon about it) it’s her own fault. Wave your hand, that’s enough.

3

Reply

Copy link

Read 1 reply

OhMeh

@CAEZMEH

·Follow

Replying to @josemorgado

Not sure in my final match of my career if I’d have done that but okay

27

Reply

Copy link

Read 1 reply

NaomiOsaka’sPlaylist

@TomJoad2Night

·Follow

Replying to @josemorgado

I’m getting real tired of the pseudo surprise from Sabalenka. 3rd or 4th time she’s pulled this standing at the net playing dumb. She knows exactly what she’s doing and it’s gross.

3

Reply

Copy link

Read 1 reply