Ukrainian tennis player refuses to shake hands with Belarus' Victoria Azarenka amid war with Russia

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There's no love lost at the U.S. Open.

Amid Ukraine's war with Russia, Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus after their match on Thursday. Belarus assisted Russia in its invasion in February.

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Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine looks on against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their second round match on day four of the 2022 U.S. Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Instead, Kostyuk opted for a simple tap of the rackets at midcourt after her loss.

"It was my choice — I don't feel like I don't know any single person who condemned the war publicly, and the actions of their government, so I don't feel like I can support this," she said after the match, which she lost in straight sets.

"I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do in the circumstances I’m in right now," she added. "We had a great match, don’t get me wrong. She’s a great competitor, I respect her as an athlete, but that has nothing to do with her being a human being."

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, left, greets Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine after their second round match on day four of the 2022 U.S. Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

Before the tournament started, Azarenka was originally slated to play in a charity match for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. However, after Kostyuk spoke out and declined an invite because Azarenka was playing, the Belarus native was dropped.

Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine