By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Aryna Sabalenka ended Elina Svitolina’s inspired run for her first Roland Garros semifinal.
Svitolina issued a parting shot following the Belarusian’s 6-4, 6-4 triumph today.
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Ukrainian Svitolina has refused to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022.
At the conclusion of today’s match, Sabalenka, despite knowing Svitolina’s stance, stood at net as if awaiting the handshake.
Some fans in Court Philippe Chatrier, apparently unaware of Svitolina’s position, booed at the no handshake.
Afterward, Svitolina said fans boos didn’t surprise her, but Sabalenka’s stand did surprise.
“My initial reaction, don’t know, was like, what are you doing (smiling)?” Svitolina said. “Because, yeah, all my press conference I say my clear position. So I don’t know.
“Maybe she’s not on social media during the tournaments, but it is pretty clear. I made multiple statements that I’m not shaking hands, and she played obviously [Ukrainian] Marta [Kostyuk] as well the first round. So is quite simple, you know…
“Secondly, no, [the booing] was quite expected. I was expecting that. Whoever in this situation loses, I guess, gets booed, so I was expecting that. It was not a surprise for me.”
Asked if she believes Sabalenka’s standing at net “inflamed” the situation, Svitolina replied, “yeah, I think so unfortunately.”
Aryna Sabalenka has yet to drop a set en route to a first semifinal in Paris, defeating Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-4.
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— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 6, 2023
When Svitolina sealed her 6-5, 7-6(5) fourth-round win over Russian Daria Kasatkina, the ninth-seeded Kasatkina, aware of her opponent’s position, did not wait at net for a handshake instead offering Svitolina a thumbs up before packing up her bag.
Former world No. 3 Svitolina also questioned why Naomi Osaka was fined by Roland Garros for declining mandatory post-match press over while dealing with mental issues last year, while Sabalenka, who skipped the post-match presser after the fourth round, did not face similar penalty.
Me and Elina showed respect to each other after a tough match but leaving the court like that was the worse part of yesterday. Be better, love each other. Don’t spread hate. Try to make this world better💜 I will love RG no…
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