Kostyuk Praises Kasatkina's Anti-War Stance at Open

Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk broke her usual stance of refusing post-match handshakes with Russian or Belarusian opponents by shaking hands with Daria Kasatkina after defeating her at the Italian Open. Kostyuk praised Kasatkina for her courageous public opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and for criticizing Russia's anti-LGBTQ+ laws, as well as for not having returned to Russia in over two years. Contrary to earlier claims, Kasatkina has not switched her sporting nationality and continues to compete as a Russian player. The gesture between Kostyuk and Kasatkina was widely viewed as a rare moment of solidarity, though some tennis fans criticized Kostyuk on social media for perceived inconsistency. Kostyuk explained that her respect stemmed from Kasatkina's clear anti-war stance and actions. The handshake highlighted the complex intersection of sportsmanship and political conviction amid ongoing tensions caused by the war in Ukraine.