Both exchanged words in the run-up to the tie with Kostyuk saying that Sabalenka should use her platform and also financial means to speak out about the war and also take her family out of Belarus.
Sabalenka jokingly took a bow after Kostyuk refused the handshake and even thought that she was getting booed by the crowd who seemingly weren't a fan of the Ukrainian not showing respect.
“At first, I thought it was against me. But they gave me a lot of support, so it wasn’t for me. I understand the no handshake, but I believe sports shouldn’t be in politics. Whatever, if they feel better like that, I’m happy with it," she said in her post match interview.
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