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."
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."
