Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina complained that she was booed during the fourth round match at Roland Garros on Sunday.
The ninth seed lost the tournament to Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in straight sets, (4-6), (6-7), an hour and 56 minutes later.
Kasatkina expressed dissatisfaction with leaving the tournament, and the Russian tennis player complained on her Twitter account about the fans who booed her at the French championship.
I leave Paris with a very bitter feeling. All these days, after every match I played in Paris, I always appreciate and thank the fans for their support and for being there for the players. But yesterday I was booed for being respectful of my opponent’s position and not shaking hands with him. (1)
– Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) June 5, 2023
Kasatkina wrote: “I am leaving Paris with bitterness. All these days, after each match, I always thanked the stands for their support.”
“But yesterday I was booed for respectfully obeying the opponent’s wish not to shake hands.” She pointed out that leaving the field in such a state was the worst moment of that day.
— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) June 5, 2023
The two players have not traditionally shaken hands, and Ukrainian athlete Svitolina has previously said she refuses to shake hands with Russian players due to her country’s government’s decision to ban handshakes in sports matches between Ukrainian players and their Russian or Belarusian counterparts.
The Roland Garros tournament will be held in Paris from May 28 to June 10, and Russian and Belarusian athletes will take part in the tournament in a neutral position.
Source: RT