'We're not friends' - Marta Kostyuk and Anastasia Potapova refuse to shake hands after Miami Open clash

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Anastasia Potapova after she was beaten by the Russian in their second-round match at the Miami Open. Potapova, who recently received a formal warning from the WTA for wearing a Spartak Moscow shirt before her match against Jessica Pegula at Indian Wells, won the match 6-1 6-3 and will play American Coco Gauff in the round of 32 in Florida. Ad Kostyuk has been a vocal critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Last year Kostyuk and other Ukrainian players including Elina Svitolina demanded tennis players from the nation denounce president Vladimir Putin and the war or be banned from playing in competitions. WTA AustinUkraine's Kostyuk secures first WTA title with victory over Gracheva in Texas06/03/2023 AT 00:14 Kostyuk previously refused to shake hands with Russia's Varvara Gracheva after winning the ATX Open earlier this month as well as Belarusian Victoria Azarenka at last year's US Open. When asked why she did not shake hands with Potapova in her press conference after their match on Thursday, Kostyuk said: «Obviously there is tension.

Like, we're not friends. »We're at war at the moment. There are a lot of things that I don't agree with that WTA is doing.

Warning? Whatever. «You give her a warning. Do you want to suspend someone? I don't know.

I can't comment on that really. It's just funny.» Jabeur hoping to 'make trouble' for Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina on return to fitness Pegula, Gauff, Badosa win Miami Openers, Kasatkina beaten by Mertens Kostyuk and her compatriots have requested a meeting with the WTA about players from Russia and Belarus being allowed to compete as neutrals on the tour. On Thursday, Kostyuk said the group has not yet received a response from