According to Svitolina, she refused the handshake because her rival had not stated her position on Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Sabalenka confidently beats Australian Hong at the start of the US Open
“Social media criticism for refusing to shake hands? Well, first of all, I don’t read social media very often. There are a lot of negative people writing negative things. But my team has talked about it a little bit.
Second, I know she changed her citizenship. But that’s not the only important point. You also have to have your own position on what’s happening in the country. I haven’t heard her talk about it.
“It’s one thing to change citizenship for your own benefit. And another thing is to change citizenship when you are against what is happening,” Svitolina quotes.
Source: Sport

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