Ukrainian tennis star Lesia Tsurenko has revealed the reason behind not having a handshake with Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open.
The two clashed in the third round of the first Grand Slam of the year where the current world number two produced a perfect display and won the match without losing a game with a score of 6-0, 6-0.
Tsurenko, while talking to the media after the match, explained that she decided not to shake hands with Sabalenka in protest of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
"It's very hard for me," she said. "I know where they're from, this is another reminder for me and it's painful. I feel like so many things that were so important for me are not important any more, like a tennis match.
"I don't feel like I really care about how I finish the match, what is the score. I care more about the fact I can be here and I can remind the world that the war is still on, I care about the fact that I can earn some money and I can donate and I can help other people."
1 - The first to achieve the feat at the AO since Ashleigh Barty (R128 2021), Aryna Sabalenka has managed the first 6-0 6-0 win of her career at WTA level, with victory over Lesia Tsurenko. Steamroll. #AusOpen | @AustralianOpen @SabalenkaA @WTA @WTA_insider
Sabalenka also expressed her opinion about the incident while talking to the media and revealed that despite not having a handshake, Tsurenko was respectful towards her.
"I respect everyone's position,” she said. "She [Tsurenko] was quite respectful. She said, 'Great play'. She didn't shake my hand, but she was respectful to me, so I appreciate that."
