No handshake at the French Open! Marta Kostyuk-Mirra Andreeva semi-final sparks controversy – Watch

Marta Kostyuk-Mirra Andreeva semi-final sparks controversy (Screengrab) There was no handshake between Marta Kostyuk and Mirra Andreeva after the French Open semifinals, a scene that has become common whenever the Ukrainian player faces Russian opponents. The decision was expected as Kostuk has consistently refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players after matches since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.After the match, the two players recognized each other from a distance, but did not meet at the net. The gesture became a symbolic way for Kostyuk to express support for his country during the ongoing conflict.Kostyuk has been one of the most vocal Ukrainian players on the women’s tour about the war. Along with Ukrainians Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska, she repeatedly refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents.Her position remained unchanged regardless of the tournament or the importance of the match. A similar incident occurred earlier this year at the Madrid Open, when Kostyuk defeated Andreeva in the final and left the court without participating in the traditional handshake.Watch:In addition to her court appearances, Kostyuk regularly spoke about the impact of the war on the people of Ukraine. After the French Open semi-final, she dedicated the success to the Ukrainians and revealed that one of her first reactions to the latest developments at home was to check on the safety of her family.The World 15 also stressed the importance of athletes continuing to speak out about the conflict as it helps keep global attention on the humanitarian impact of the war. While handshakes are traditionally seen as a sign of sportsmanship in tennis, Kostyuk remained steadfast in her stance.