‘Some say sport should stay out of politics’ – Kostyuk proves that principles matter more than protocol

The 2025 Canadian Open saw Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk take on Russian-born Daria Kasatkina in the third round. However, fans were left surprised when both players shook hands at the net after the match.

Over the past few years, Kostyuk and her compatriots have refrained from shaking hands with or sometimes even acknowledging their Russian or Belarusian opponents after a match. This stance was adopted since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and has become a talking point anytime players from both nations are involved in a match.

Therefore, Kostyuk's decision to shake hands with Kasatkina after the match raised a lot of eyebrows. However, the Ukrainian had an answer prepared when she was asked about it during her post-match press conference.

Although Russian born, Kasatkina had openly spoken out against the war in Ukraine. Furthermore, the former World No.8 changed nationalities this year, obtaining Australian citizenship and now represents the country.

"Some say that sport should stay out of politics," began Kostyuk. "As an athlete, I believe in fairness and respect, but these principles have little value if they don't extend beyond the field. Since the beginning of the war, I have chosen not to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players, as a personal stance against Russian aggression.
"But when someone not only speaks the truth, calling Russia the aggressor, but also acts accordingly, that deserves respect. Daria Kasatkina spoke out clearly against the war and decided to renounce her Russian athletic citizenship. That takes courage, and I recognize that. I hope this is not the final step, but part of a deeper commitment."

Kostyuk would end up prevailing in a close 3-6 6-3 7-6(4) victory to book a round of 16 spot with McCartney Kessler. The 28th-seeded American stunned World No.5 Mirra Andreeva in their third-round encounter to advance to the fourth round.