Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina expressed her disappointment and bitterness after being booed off the court by the crowd following her defeat against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina at the French Open. Prior to the match, Svitolina had stated that she would not shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
After the match, which ended with a score of 6-4, 7-6 in favor of Svitolina, Kasatkina gave her opponent a thumbs-up gesture. Svitolina also responded with a thumbs-up, although it is unclear if it was specifically directed toward Kasatkina. The crowd’s reaction, however, was negative towards Kasatkina, resulting in a disappointing experience for her.
Taking to Twitter, Kasatkina expressed her feelings, stating that she was leaving Paris with a bitter feeling. She acknowledged that she has always appreciated and thanked the crowd for their support in previous matches, but on this occasion, she was booed for simply being respectful and understanding of her opponent’s position regarding the handshake.
The incident highlights the complex emotions and tensions that can arise in sports due to political conflicts and rivalries between nations.
“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, and love each other. Don’t spread hate. Try to make this world better. I will love RG no matter what, always and forever. See u next year.”
Daria Kasatkina has emerged as one of the few Russian players to openly express her opposition to the ongoing war, describing it as a “full nightmare.” Her stance has earned support from popular Russian singer Zemfira, who herself left the country due to her opposition to the invasion.
Elina Svitolina, Kasatkina’s opponent at the French Open, commended her for taking a brave and public position against the war. Svitolina expressed gratitude for Kasatkina’s stance, noting that very few players have been vocal about the issue.
The tournament has been marked by geopolitical tensions, with Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka skipping her post-match news conferences, citing concerns for her safety after being questioned about the war. Belarus has been utilized as a staging area by Russia during the conflict.
In another incident, two-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic stirred controversy by writing “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” on a camera lens amid ongoing unrest in the region.
These instances demonstrate how global political conflicts can intersect with the world of sports, creating complex dynamics and highlighting the impact on athletes and their ability to express their views.
