Australian Open star is underneath investigation for shaking arms
- Yelyzaveta Kotliar underneath hearth for shaking arms post-match
- The 16-year-old stated she shook opponent’s hand ‘mistakenly’
- Is now being investigated by her nation’s tennis physique
A Ukrainian teenage tennis star has discovered herself embroiled in controversy on the Australian Open as a result of she shook arms along with her Russian opponent after a match.
16-year-old Yelyzaveta Kotliar is being investigated by her personal nation over a handshake with Vlada Mincheva following their round-one match at Melbourne Park.
The Ukrainian star, who misplaced 2-6, 4-6 in 70 minutes, defied the unwritten rule different Ukrainian gamers have adopted when taking up rivals from Russia or Belarus by acknowledging her opponent.
Since the Russia-Ukraine warfare started in 2022, many excessive profile gamers have opted towards the handshake after matches to indicate solidarity with these concerned within the battle.
Kotilar’s father Konstantin defined afterwards that his daughter had made a mistake.
16-year-old Yelyzaveta Kotliar is being investigated by her personal nation over her post-match handshake with Russian Vlada Mincheva
‘The environment right here is extraordinary, which in itself places a whole lot of stress on the athletes,’ he stated in an announcement.
‘At the start of your profession, it is laborious to deal with this and never be nervous. Unfortunately, my daughter did not really feel calm, her feelings have been operating excessive, so she wasn’t fully in charge of her behaviour.
‘She mechanically carried out the post-match ritual, not realising that behind the online there was a consultant of the nation who launched the assault on our homeland.
‘It was undoubtedly a mistake that Liza regrets and assures us that she is going to by no means enable something like that to occur once more.’
Earlier within the event, Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko refused to shake arms with Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka after her third-round loss.
After the match the 34-year-old spoke to media about how robust it’s for her to play Russian or Belarusian gamers.
‘It’s very laborious for me,’ Tsurenko stated.
‘I do know the place they’re from, that is one other reminder for me and it is painful.’
Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko (proper) refused to shake arms with Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (left) earlier on this yr’s Australian Open
She added: ‘I really feel like so many issues that have been so necessary for me will not be necessary any extra, like a tennis match.
‘I do not really feel like I actually care about how I end the match, what’s the rating. I care extra in regards to the reality I will be right here and I can remind the world that the warfare remains to be on, I care about the truth that I can earn some cash and I can donate and I might help different individuals.’
