Victoria Azarenka responds to Marta Kostyuk: “I am not playing any political or media game”

“How did you feel when Marta Kostyuk decided not to shake your hand at the net?
It didn’t surprise me. I don’t think it should be an event. I always shake hands with my opponents. I found myself in the same situation with Yastremska in Washington. It’s like that. I can’t force anyone to shake my hand. It is their decision. How did that make me feel? It’s not the most important thing right now.

She seemed particularly upset that you hadn’t contacted her in the past few months. Is this something you would like to do and why haven’t you done it?
I have proposed it many times via the WTA, out of delicacy. I was told it was not the right time. I am not and have never been close to Marta. I never trained with her and never really talked to her. In March, when it all started, I contacted all the Ukrainian players that I personally know and have a good relationship with. I don’t think forcing myself to talk to someone who maybe doesn’t want to, for different reasons, is a good approach. But I offered to do it.

I think I had a very clear speech from the start: I’m here to help and I did, a lot. Maybe not things that people see. I don’t do it for that. I do it for juniors who need clothes, people who need money or transportation. Helping people in need is what matters to me. If Marta wants to talk to me… She texted me yesterday (Wednesday), I answered. I am open, ready to listen, to try to understand, to sympathize. I think empathy is very important right now. What is happening in the world right now is very hard, but we should not forget that we are all human beings. We should treat each other as such.

About this text, she explained that she wanted to warn you about the “no handshake”. She also talked about your role on the players’ council and thinks you could be more vocal. What’s your reaction ?
You can ask what my role is and what I do for the players to all the members of the players’ council and to the people of the WTA who see me in action. I don’t need to throw flowers at myself, I know what I’m doing. With all due respect, I don’t think she has any idea what I’m doing on the players’ council because she’s not there. I see her as a tennis player and a colleague. I know she is going through very difficult situations. It’s not easy to manage. I wish she had someone to guide her a little better through this complicated time.

I am always listening. I can’t force anyone to do what they don’t want to do. But she has my number, the others too. If I can help, I do. I don’t play any political or media games, I’m not here for that. I am a very direct person. You have known me for many years, I speak frankly and directly to people. Twitter is not the place to discuss. The place is face to face. Those who know me off the court know that. I speak with people in person, not on the phone or by text.

You wanted to take part in the “Tennis Plays for Peace” exhibition, the proceeds of which would go to a support fund for Ukraine, but in the end that was not the case, particularly following Kostyuk’s criticism. How did you experience it?
It’s a long story. The USTA called me to ask if I wanted to participate. There wasn’t even a debate for me: why wouldn’t I want to take part in a humanitarian action to help people who are suffering right now? It didn’t even cross my mind. To me, that was proof of my involvement. I don’t know why it wasn’t taken that way. I offered my help, my listening. If it’s not received like that, once again, I can’t force anyone.

My role is to be there, ready to offer my help. This event was a great idea. Lots of money was raised for a great cause. Whether I participated or not, the most important thing was the goal of helping people. I’m not self-centered enough to bring it back to me. I don’t know what I can do other than offer my help. I hope we will find solutions, but I will not participate in this media and political game. It’s not who I am, I never have and I won’t. »