>
The last Ukrainian at the Australian Open talks about the PAIN she felt from the pro-Russian protests that have tarnished the Grand Slam
Ukraine’s last representative at the Australian Open has spoken of her grief over the pro-Russian demonstrations that broke out at Melbourne Park.
Marta Kostyuk was beaten in the women’s doubles semifinals alongside Gabriele Ruse, and was horrified to see Putin supporters present at Novak Djokovic’s quarterfinal on Wednesday.
Marta Kostyuk was the last competitor at the Ukrainian Australian Open, exiting the tournament in the mixed doubles semifinal.
The 20-year-old also brought up her reluctance to comment on the storm surrounding her father Srdjan partnering with them, after being subjected to an outpouring of hate from fans of the Serbian star.
“It hurts a lot because there were specific rules that were printed outside, you’re not allowed to take out the flags and so on,” she said after losing 6-2, 6-2 to Czechs Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova.
When asked about Srdjan Djokovic’s association with the fringe element of fans who declare their support for the Russian, she was reluctant to comment, even though she has been outspoken on matters relating to her home country.
“I think these kinds of things can’t be unwatched, because no matter who you are, nobody can do it. Is very annoying. I can’t give you an answer of what the tournament should do.
Kostyuk has been hurt by Russian protesters at the Australian Open surrounding the road between the two nations.
A Russian flag with the face of Vladimir Putin was unfurled on the steps of Rod Laver Arena after Djokovic reached the semifinals.
‘First of all, it is not in my power. Second, no matter what I say, I will be hated for the rest of my life, especially by the very aggressive Novak fans. People know that, (though not) everyone, Novak has very aggressive fans. I know this because I experienced this in the past. I got so much hate, especially from Serbian fans.
With Wimbledon weighing in the coming months whether to reverse its bans on players from Russia and Belarus, he is inclined to think he should stay.
“For me, it will be a difficult time for Wimbledon,” he said. ‘I think so. Because I can’t imagine if someone Russian or Belarusian wins the tournament and then I think so. Because I can’t imagine if someone Russian or Belarusian wins the tournament and then the royal family has to hold the trophies with them. I hardly imagine this. This is one of the big reasons they actually got banned. So I think so.