Rome: Marta Kostyuk shakes Russian Daria Kasatkina’s hand after nationality change

ROME, Italy—Daria Kasatkina wasn’t sure what to expect at the net after a 6-4, 6-2 second-round defeat to Marta Kostyuk at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

Kostyuk, who represents Ukraine, has refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players over the last three years as the Russian-Belarusian invasion into her country continues. Her compatriots have followed suit.

But Kasatkina, who was born in Tolyatti and previously represented Russia, announced plans earlier this year to switch nationalities and represent Australia effective immediately. In their first meeting after that change was made official, Kostyuk and Kasatkina shook hands.

“I think if someone not just speaks the truth but also acts on it, I feel like that deserves respect,” said Kostyuk, who was unsurprised Kasatkina no longer represents Russia. “I think it’s important to acknowledge that so other people kind of lead and have someone to look up to in these things.”

Kostyuk, 22, had implied an intention to shake Kasatkina’s hand in a statement posted to social media earlier on Friday, later clarifying that she and Kasatkina had not been in touch in the wake of the latter’s decision to change countries.

“I was very happy for her, and for her decision, but I can’t necessarily call us friends,” Kostyuk said. “I think we’re colleagues like I am with all the players on tour. It was nothing official. Not much changed, just now she represents Australia and I shake her hand and I’m very happy for her.”

Kasatkina is one of a handful of players who have changed nationalities since Russia and Belarus invaded Ukraine, but it Kasatkina’s openly anti-war stance and statements—combined with the decision to change nationalities—that earned Kostyuk’s respect.

“I don’t necessarily recall [others] speaking out against the war,” she said. “I don’t know what kind of motives they had to change the passport. Maybe they didn’t have access to visas or it’s just nicer to represent a country that actually has a flag next to your name.

“I don’t know what their intentions were and they haven’t spoken about it. It’s just a flag next to your name, but I don’t see it as a complete picture.”

Kostyuk’s near-native command of the English language and open personality has made her the de facto spokesperson for the Ukrainian tennis contingent from when she was still just 19 years old. Describing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, she has, at times, struggled to balance the grind of professional tennis with the emotional upheaval of living through war.

“Sometimes I have to turn off the news completely,” said Kostyuk, who has seen a therapist on and off over the last three years. “I may be in a safe place, in a safe environment. But my brain doesn’t know the difference. When I read the news and I start crying and I feel very stressed over things, my brain doesn’t understand that I’m actually physically safe. So, I have to go out and perform and do my job. This is my priority right now, but my family is there, and you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow.

“I don’t know how people live there,” she continued with obvious admiration. “I’m always mesmerized when I come to Ukraine for whatever I have to do with my job there, and how people continue thriving and living. You’ll have some shops that don’t have glass because there was a missile attack or drone attack. They put up a paper on top of the wooden boards saying, ‘We are working. Just come in.’ There is shattered glass on the floor and people just kind of keep going. That’s amazing.”

Given how long the conflict has gone on, Kostyuk was hopeful but not entirely optimistic others would follow Kasatkina’s lead.

I cannot make decisions for other people, obviously, but I think she’s a very, very good example of finding a way out of a very rough situation that life puts you in. Marta Kostyuk on Daria Kasatkina's decision to represent Australia

“I think it depends on peoples’ values. It depends on what you stand for, what you support and how you can live with yourself and your decisions. Everyone is different. I cannot make decisions for other people, obviously, but I think she’s a very, very good example of finding a way out of a very rough situation that life puts you in.”

Ever introspective the world No. 27, who spoke out about the pitfalls of young stardom after defeating Alexandra Eala in her first round, has tried to avoid the political machinations occurring around the war. Instead, she has opted to focus on maintaining her mental health, raising dog Mander—a portmanteau of Marta and coach Sandra Zaniewska— and continuing to do her part to support her country.

“I just try to navigate, listen to myself and what actually stresses me because it’s always deeper than we think. It’s not the situation, it’s definitely something else that triggered this reaction.

“I have people I can talk to and it’s a great, amazing journey of just learning about yourself and even through tough situations, even through the war, coming out on the other side better. It’s all about the process and being able to name the feelings that you have and letting them be, not pushing them away. Just accepting them has been a big part of my journey in general because I’m very emotional. Definitely having that kind of balance inside of me and acceptance was crucial.”

Kostyuk will next face 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez for a spot in the fourth round.