Marta Kostyuk, the second-ranked tennis player in Ukraine, won't shake hands with Russian or Belarusian competitors

Marta Kostyuk, the second-ranked tennis player in Ukraine, has stated that she will not shake hands with rivals from Russia and Belarus during the Australian Open because she believes that those countries have not done enough to protest the invasion. 

Russia's war in Ukraine, which Moscow refers to as a "special operation," is utilizing Belarus as a crucial staging area.

When Kyiv's 20-year-old tennis star refused to shake hands with former world number one Victoria Azarenka at the net after the Belarusian beat her at the US Open, it made headlines.

Kostyuk said she would not shake hands with any Russian or Belarusian opponent who had not publicly condemned the invasion after winning her first match at the Australian Open on Monday, defeating Amanda Anisimova, who was ranked 28th.“I haven’t changed about the war and everything that’s going on, on tour,” she told Reuters.

“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.”

Only Wimbledon has barred Russian and Belarusian players from competing, which has resulted in a $1 million fine from the men's tour.

This year, Russian and Belarusian players are permitted to play at Melbourne Park without displaying their national flag or country.

“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,” she added of Russian and Belarusian players.

“I barely say ‘hi’ to them.”