Daria Kasatkina’s switch from Russian tennis to play for Australia has been given a stamp of approval from her Ukrainian conqueror at the Italian Open.
Marta Kostyuk, one of the women’s tour’s in-form players, has made a high-profile point along with many of her fellow Ukrainian players of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents after matches in protest at the invasion of her homeland.
But after defeating her for the first time since the world No 15 switched allegiance to Australia in March, Kostyuk was quick to offer her hand at the net on Friday after her 6-4 6-2 win before praising Kasatkina for what she believed was a courageous stand she had taken against Russia.
Kasatkina took permanent Australian residency a month ago, having criticised Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws as well as the war against Ukraine.
“It’s always nice to shake hands with someone I respect,” said Kostyuk after the match, adding that she hoped Kasatkina would continue to speak out against the war now she had the “freedom” to do so.
“When someone not only tells the truth – calling Russia the aggressor – but also acts on it, that deserves respect,” the 22-year-old had also noted in an Instagram post before the match.
“Daria Kasatkina has clearly spoken out against the war and made the decision to give up her Russian sports citizenship. This takes courage – and I acknowledge it.
“I hope this is not the final step but part of a deeper commitment. I stand with Ukraine. I stand for truth, for dignity, and for those who choose to speak and act – when staying quiet would be easier.”
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Kasatkina has said how much she has appreciated the support she’s had from everyone since her switch, but now playing in her third tournament as an Australian, she hasn’t had much joy on the court, with her record in the green-and-gold now reading two wins and three defeats.
Elsewhere around the Foro Italico courts on Friday, world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, fresh from her Madrid Open triumph over Coco Gauff, opened with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Anastasia Potapova, while Gauff herself had to work hard for a 3-6 6-2 6-1 win over Canadian qualifier Victoria Mboko.
