Brisbane, Australia, Jan 12, 2026 (AFP) - Ukraine's Kostyuk defends 'conscious choice' to speak out about war

NAMPA / AFP
2026-01-12
Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk has defended her "conscious choice" to address the plight of her country during the trophy presentation of a pre-Australian Open event in Brisbane. The world number 20 did not shake hands with top-ranked Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka after being beaten in Sunday's final in straight sets. Like many Ukraine players, Kostyuk refuses to shake hands with Russians or Belarusians following Moscow's invasion of her home......
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