D.C. tennis followers warned that Ukraine’s Svitolina, Belarus’ Azarenka received’t shake fingers

Spectators on the D.C. Open have been informed earlier than Ukraine‘s Elina Svitolina confronted Belarus‘ Victoria Azarenka that the gamers wouldn’t shake fingers following their first-round match Monday night time.

During the battle in Ukraine, Svitolina — like a number of different gamers from her nation — has declined to take part within the regular assembly on the internet with opponents from Russia or Belarus. Russia invaded Ukraine with the assistance of Belarus in February 2022 and combating continues.

At different current tournaments, some followers — seemingly unaware of the background — booed Ukrainian gamers for not taking part within the customary handshake. After dropping to Svitolina at Wimbledon, Azarenka was jeered loudly for not going as much as the web herself — although she did so as a result of she knew Svitolina wouldn’t need to shake fingers.

Svitolina mentioned on the time that she thought it could make sense for tournaments to begin informing followers in regards to the state of affairs; the All England Club mentioned it could not do this.

But Svitolina mentioned she was assured by WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon that there can be a message delivered to the gang in Washington earlier than her match in opposition to Azarenka — and there was.

The scoreboards learn: “At the conclusion of the match, there will be no handshake between the players. We appreciate your respect for both athletes during and following the match, and for your understanding during these difficult circumstances.”

The message was proven after the primary set, too.

The WTA has not but determined whether or not to inform all tournaments to publish an analogous message earlier than any match involving a participant from Ukraine in opposition to one from Russia or Belarus.