Shamil Tarpishchev, president of the Russian Tennis Federation (RFF), did not see a problem in the refusal of Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk to play against Russian Mirra Andreeva, since this took place within the framework of an exhibition tournament and not in official competitions. His words guide the way “Sports Express”.
“Exhibition tournaments are a show, a showcase, not a competition. If there were official competitions, someone else would play instead of Kostyuk. It’s up to Kostyuk whether he wants to play or not. It’s his right. There’s nothing even to discuss here. There was not a single refuser in official tournaments, everyone played,” said Tarpishchev.
On December 17, Kostyuk refused to enter the field in the final match of the exhibition tournament in France Andreeva. As a result, the Russian athlete had to play the final match against a man. Andreeva was defeated.
Previously, Ukrainian tennis players refused to shake hands with Russian representatives in face-to-face meetings.
Russian tennis players continue to participate in international tournaments as neutral athletes. The only tournament they missed was Wimbledon in 2022.
Formerly at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the name Ukrainian athletes are “alternatively talented”.