'A bitter feeling': Russia's Kasatkina booed at Roland Garros after her match against Ukraine's Svitolina

A defeat in the eighth final of Roland-Garros that hurts. And not only because it means the end of the tournament for Russia's Daria Kasatkina. The latter, opposed to the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina Sunday for a ticket to the quarterfinals of the Parisian tournament, lost in two sets (6-4, 7-6) and had the unpleasant surprise of being whistled by part of the public of the door of Auteil.

The reason? The exchange between the two players at the end of the match. Because contrary to tradition, Kasatkina and Svitolina did not shake hands over the net of Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The first, after shaking hands with the chair judge, gave a thumbs up in the direction of the second. This earned him boos, while this lack of handshake was planned.

🎾 #RolandGarros | It goes for Svitolina in the tie-break ✅

What a joy for the Ukrainian and her clan 🤩

▶ Follow the matches live 👉 https://t.co/t9JlILNhyP pic.twitter.com/gW8O9r6dMW

— francetvsport (@francetvsport) June 4, 2023

Kasatkina has repeatedly taken a stand against the Russian-led war in Ukraine, and accepts that Ukrainian women do not greet Russians or Belarusians. The day before, for example, Svitolina chose not to shake hands with Russia's Anna Blinkova, simply raising her thumb in her direction.

Svitolina 'welcomes' Kasatkina's position

"I leave Paris after a very bitter feeling," she regretted on Twitter. All these days, after every match I played in Paris, I always appreciated and thanked the public for their support and presence for the players. But yesterday I was booed for simply respecting my opponent's position of not shaking his hand. »

Leaving Paris with a very bitter feeling. All this days, after every match I've played in Paris I always appreciate and thanked crowd for support and being there for the players. But yesterday I was booed for just being respectful on my opponents position not to shake hands. [1]

— Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) June 5, 2023

"Me and Elina were respectful after a tough game, but leaving the pitch like that was the worst part of yesterday. Be better, love one another. Don't spread hatred. Try to make this world a better place. I will love Roland Garros no matter what, always and forever. See you next year," she concluded, adding the French flag at the end of her message.

"Of course, I greeted her, and I thank her for the stance she took. Of course, I recognize what she has done, she is brave. She has spoken publicly, there are not many players who have done so, "said the wife of Gaël Monfils, who gave birth to their daughter, Skaï, in October.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine was invited in the first round of this 2023 edition of the clay tournament. Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk was whistled by the Roland Garros crowd for refusing the hand of Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, whose country supports Russia.