Marta Kostyuk criticized the French Open crowd for jeering her after she lost to Aryna Sabalenka and argued that they should feel “embarrassed” by their actions. After losing in straight sets against her Belarusian opponent, the Ukrainian went directly off the court without shaking Sabalenka’s hand. This occurred due to continued hostilities between the players as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sabalenka was ignored by Kostyuk as she made her way to her chair, which infuriated the audience, who booed her as she entered the dressing room.
Sabalenka initially felt puzzled because she believed she was the target of the Court Philippe Chatrier spectators. But when the 20-year-old walked meekly off the court, it soon became clear that they had singled out Kostyuk for their jeers. She also acknowledged that she had not anticipated the hostile reaction to ignoring Sabalenka, telling the spectators in the stadium they should be ashamed of their behavior.
Marta commented: “I did not expect it. I have no reaction to it but people should be, honestly, embarrassed. I want to know how they will feel about that [booing her] in 10 years, when the war is over. I don’t think they will feel great.”
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 28, 2023
Marta Kostyuk in 2023
LLWWWWLWWW Currently the world no.39, the Ukrainian played her last match on the 28th of May when she lost to world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-2 in the 1st round of the French Open (draw).
Until now, during this year Kostyuk has a compiled 18-12 match record. Marta has won 1 title in Austin.
Sabalenka at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2023
Now the world no.2 (career-high), Sabalenka owns a composed 30-5 match record in 2023. Sabalenka is currently having a run at the French Open where she overcame the world no.39 Marta Kostyuk 6-3 6-2.
Aryna Sabalenka will square off with the world no.211 Iryna Shymanovich in the 2nd round. In the past, they have never competed against each other till now in top events.
The Belarussian has won 3 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open and Madrid. The Belarussian reached the final in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) and in Stuttgart (Porsche Tennis Grand Prix).
Aryna won 13 titles in her career: 9 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
Marta Kostyuk and Aryna Sabalenka fought against each other just twice. Their record is 2-0 for Sabalenka. The last time they competed against each other, Aryna Sabalenka won 6-3 6-2 in the 1st round in Paris (French Open) on the 28th of May 2023.
Marta Kostyuk |
| Embed from Getty Images |
