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Aryna Sabalenka Reacts to Marta Kostyuk Refusing to Shake Hands After Brisbane International Final: 'Doesn't Matter if...'
Kostyuk upheld her policy of not shaking hands with Belarusian Sabalenka due to the Ukraine war, while Sabalenka secured her first 2026 trophy with a 6-4, 6-3 win.
- On Sunday, Aryna Sabalenka won the Brisbane International to claim her first trophy of 2026, defeating Marta Kostyuk in straight sets at Pat Rafter Arena.
- Marta Kostyuk has maintained since 2022 a policy of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian players due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a stance originating at the French Open 2023 lasting almost three years.
- On court Kostyuk refused to acknowledge Sabalenka and used her post-match remarks to say 'I want to say a few words about Ukraine', while organisers confirmed no joint photograph would be taken.
- The win positions Sabalenka as a boost heading into the Australian Open, with action beginning on January 18, and she said she hopes to meet Kostyuk in another final in the near future.
- Despite Kostyuk's breakthrough run to her first WTA final in 21 months, Sabalenka leads their rivalry with five wins amid ongoing off-court tensions.
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Aryna Sabalenka reacts to Marta Kostyuk refusing to shake hands after Brisbane International final: 'Doesn't matter if...'
Sabalenka registered a dominating 6-4 6-3 win in the final against Kostyuk to warm up for the Australian Open where she will be attempting to make her fourth consecutive final in Melbourne.
·Mumbai, India
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Center, 37% Right
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources are Center, 37% of the sources lean Right
38% Center
L 25%
C 38%
R 37%
Factuality
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