Yelyzaveta Kotliar, a 16-year-old tennis player from Ukraine, is reportedly in hot trouble after shaking hands with Vlada Mincheva of Russia during her Australian Open 2024 girl’s singles match.
In an hour and ten minutes, Kotliar lost 2-6, 4-6 against her Russian opponent in the opening round of the women’s singles competition. But by approaching Mincheva and shaking hands with her after the game at Melbourne Park, Kotliar sought trouble.
Considering that players from Russia and Ukraine had not shaken hands since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, this surprised a lot of people. Beginning as a way to support their fellow citizens and the soldiers defending their lives on the front lines of the conflict, Ukrainian tennis players established the custom.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Youth and Sports reportedly rejected Kotliar’s explanation that it was an unintentional error, according to numerous online outlets. It is said that the ministry will investigate the situation shortly.
🇺🇦 What a nation full of degenerатеs.
16-year-old Ukrainian tennis player, Kotliar is facing criticism in Ukraine after losing and shaking hands with a Russian.
She claims it was a mistake. But the Ukrainian Ministry of sports doesn't buy it. A case has been opened against her. pic.twitter.com/HuvyO30amb
— Spetsnaℤ 007 🇷🇺 (@Alex_Oloyede2) January 20, 2024
Yelyzaveta Kotliar in 2024
Currently the world no. (career-high), Yelyzaveta played her last match on the 3rd of October 2023 when she had to retire when playing against Julita Saner in the 1st round and the scoreline was 6-4 3-1 .
Until now, during this year Yelyzaveta owns a composed 0-0 match record.
