Was clear over handshake: Elina Svitolina on Aryna Sabalenka

Elina Svitolina accused Aryna Sabalenka of deliberately ldquoinflamingrdquo the tense standoff between Ukraine and Belarus players at the French Open on Tuesday by staring her down at the netSabalenka won their quarterfinal 64 64 and then approached the net in expectation of a handshake which Svitolina had already insisted she was not going to offerAryna Sabalenka waits at the net after defeating Elina Svitolina in Paris yesterday PicsGetty ImagesAll Ukraine players refuse to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian rivals in protest at the ongoing war Svitolina was as good as her word ignoring the World No 2 who was leaning on the net and calmly walked back to her chair Svitolina however was booed by the Court Philippe Chatrier crowdWhen asked if Sabalenka had inflamed the situation by standing at the net Svitolina replied ldquoYeah I think so unfortunately I donrsquot know why she was waiting because my statements were clear enough about the handshakerdquo added Svitolina 28 who said she was not shocked by being jeered by a Paris crowd who had taken her to their hearts following her marriage to French player Gael MonfilsAlso Read French Open Aryna Sabalenka defeats Sloane Stephens to reach quarterfinalsExpected to get booedldquoI was expecting that Whoever in this situation loses I guess gets booed so I was expecting that It was not a surprise for merdquo When she saw Sabalenka coming into the net on Tuesday she thought ldquoWhat are you doing I made my position clearrdquoSabalenka had defeated another Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in the first round Kostyuk also refused to shake hands and she too was booedStance to continueldquoMaybe shersquos Sabalenka not on social media during the tournament but it is pretty clear She played Marta as well in the first round So itrsquos quite simplerdquo Svitolina said she and her compatriots will continue their stance in the grass court season which culminates in Wimbledon next month ldquoI wonrsquot sell my country for the likes of peoplerdquo she said Svitolina said Sabalenka should also be fined for refusing to attend two mandatory press conferences following her third and fourth round matchesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever