Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk revealed she ‘doesn’t talk’ to Russian and Belarusian players who haven’t openly condemned the invasion of her country. 

Kostyuk won her first match at the Australian Open today, recording an impressive 6-3, 6-4 victory over Amanda Anisimova. 

Her next encounter will be against Australia’s Olivia Gadecki, but Kostyuk will be wary of coming up against Russian or Belarusian players if she progresses. 

The 20-year-old refused to shake Victoria Azarenka’s hand at the US Open last year, with her opponent’s home country – Belarus – used as a key staging ground for the war in Ukraine. 

Kostyuk confirmed to Reuters that she would not act differently at this month’s Australian Open.

What did Marta Kostyuk say about Russian and Belarusian tennis players?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine plays a backhand in their round one singles match against Amanda Anisimova of the United States during day one of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images)

"I haven't changed about the war and everything that's going on, on tour," she told Reuters, suggesting that she would refuse to shake the hand of a Russian or Belarusian player who hadn’t condemned the invasion of Ukraine.

"Because people who just say they don't want war, it makes us [Ukraine] sound like we want war. Obviously we don't want the war, too."

Kostyuk also revealed that she did not interact with such players while on the WTA Tour. 

"Whoever speaks out clearly I believe has every right to be on tour but whoever doesn't ... I don't think it's just humane," she said. "I don't really talk to anyone. I barely say 'hi' to them."

Who is Marta Kostyuk?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 01: Victoria Azarenka (L) and Marta Kostyuk (R) of Ukraine touch rackets following their Women's Singles Second Round match on Day Four of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 01, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Kostyuk is currently ranked 61st in the world, having triumphed at the Slovenia Open last year. Her best Grand Slam finish is the French Open fourth round in 2021.

The young star comes from Kyiv, and the majority of her family still lives in the Ukrainian capital. She returned to the country for a brief period in October, and is deeply involved with humanitarian relief efforts. 

“I am more stressed being outside and looking in, than actually being there," she said. 

Kostyuk also touched on her belief that her country would eventually prevail against the Russian invasion. 

"I don't think we would even have a chance if we didn't think like this," she said.

"It just takes time and unfortunately a lot of losses and death, including a lot of innocent people. This is our faith, I guess, and we have to just come back strong."

Read more: Australian Open 2023: Dates, tickets, live stream, odds and everything we know so far

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