Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk refused to play in the final of the women’s tournament in Bourg-de-Peage (France) after learning that her rival for the title was Mirra Andreeva (Russia). This was announced by the organizers.
They add that the reason is the geopolitical situation between the two countries.
Marta Kostyuk qualified for the finals without playing on the semifinals after Donna Vekic (Croatia) walkover after injury and was unable to play. And in the final, it was the turn of the Ukrainian to give up, although she has no health problems, but pointed out the fact that her rival from Russia.
To save the match, the organizers called a man to face Mirra Andreeva on the court.
“Due to reasons beyond our control and given the geopolitical context in Ukraine, Marta Kostyuk will not be able to compete in the final. We have done our best to activate our network of professional players, but unfortunately time is too short to find a replacement at the level. That’s why we made an unprecedented decision, announced the organizers of the demonstration tournament, which will have a unique final between Mirra Andreeva and tennis player from ATP Yanis Ghazouani Durand, who is world’s number 1145 in the ranking.
For the Ukrainian tennis player, this is the next step she is taking in the moral defense of her homeland. During the WTA 250 final in Austin, Texas earlier this year, she reached the final against Varvara Gracheva (Russia), but refused to shake her hand. Then she won the title, but refused to accept the congratulations of the finalist.
