‘No Open Help From Her…’ – Ukrainian Tennis Star Marta Kostyuk Lashes Out at US Open Organizers for Inviting Victoria Azarenka to Play a Charity Match

Marta Kostyuk has always been vocal about the situation in Ukraine. She openly slammed people and supported Wimbledon for banning Russian and Belarusian players. At the same time, she also admitted that she didn’t hold any personal grudge against the players of these nations. However, the news of their presence in the charity matches of the upcoming Grand Slam irked her.

As per her, all she demands is more participation on the matter from players such as Victoria Azarenka and Daniil Medvedev. Further, the Ukrainian ace is convinced that players of the concerned nation do not wish to indulge.

Marta Kostyuk slams the US Open

Kostyuk, after learning about Belarusian Victoria Azarenka’s participation in the charity matches held to help Ukraine before the official week of the US Open, shared her frustration. “When we found out that there would be representatives of Russia or Belarus at this event, I immediately said that I will not participate in this,” she said on her behalf and that of her compatriot Lesia Tsurenko.

“First of all, no one asked the Ukrainian athletes if they wanted any of these players to be present. Secondly, I did not understand the reason why they called Victoria Azarenka. There was no open help from her in our direction,” the 20-year-old added.

Thereafter taking a direct hit at the former World no.1, she said, “Although I was one of the most active in my statements, she had no contact with me. There was probably no desire to talk either. So I don’t understand why she’s called. I can’t understand why she’s even going to do this.”

Read more: ‘What Should I Do With My Life Now?’ – Ukrainian Tennis Star Ponders About Lack of Focus in Tennis Amidst Growing Unrest

When the Wimbledon ban received huge outlash from the entire tennis fraternity, Kostyuk was amongst the who debated otherwise. She openly denounced ATP and WTA’s counter action. The Kyiv born tennis ace accused the association of foul play when it stripped the tournament of its ranking points.

Kostyuk in the Cincinnati Masters

The former World no.49 gave a subpar performance in all three categories in the Wimbledon Championships. Following that, she enrolled for the Cincinnati Masters. However, the results from the WTA 1ooo event were similar to the Grand Slam.

Watch this story: The Greatest Comebacks in Tennis

Kostyuk, after her wins in the qualifiers, locked horns with Italian professional Camila Giorgi. There in a three set long tussle she managed to book herself a seat in the second round. However, in the round of 32 after giving a tough fight in the first set against American Jessica Pegula, she lost 6-1 6-1 in the following sets. Now she will be gearing up for the US Open.

Do you agree with the views of Kostyuk? Should Russian and Belarusian players play in charity matches aimed at helping Ukraine?