Kostyuk: I urge you not to use the tennis court to promote the “Russian world”

Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk condemned the use Russian symbols in the description of her match with Maria Timofeeva, who competed in a neutral status. In particular, the official account US Open placed the Russian flag in the match report next to Timofeeva’s name.

“As you know, since the beginning of a full-scale war we have been fighting for the removal of Russian and Belarusian athletes. Now they perform in a neutral status, that is, without national flags.

We have repeatedly raised the question of what the status of a neutral athlete is. Because it doesn’t actually exist.

• repeatedly these athletes themselves said that everyone knows which countries they represent;
• the leadership of their countries constantly says that these are their athletes and the world knows about it;
• international media write in their publications that these are Russian and Belarusian athletes;
• Many athletes have their flag hanging on social networks.

And today, after my victory over an athlete from the aggressor country, the Russian flag was published on the official resource of one of the largest tennis tournaments in the world.

Today is the 697th day of full-scale war. And the sports world continues to promote a killer country and a country that uses its athletes as part of the propaganda that kills.”

“I urge media representatives, officials, and the sports community to stop using the tennis court to promote the “Russian world.”

Kostyuk defeated Timofeeva in the 1/8 finals match of the Australian Open 2024. Marta made it to the singles quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her professional career.

In the quarterfinals, Kostyuk will play against the fourth racket of the tournament, Coco Gauff from the USA. The meeting is scheduled for January 23.