Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk shook hands with Daria Kasatkina following their match at the 2025 Italian Open. On Friday, May 9, Kostyuk advanced to the Round of 32 after defeating Kasatkina 6-4, 6-2. She will next face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.
The handshake was notable, as Kostyuk had declined to shake hands with Kasatkina in their previous three encounters. Amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian players have generally avoided handshakes with Russian and Belarusian opponents.
On Friday, Kostyuk shook hands with Kasatkina—this time without controversy, as Kasatkina is no longer a Russian citizen. In March, the 28-year-old officially became a permanent Australian resident and has since continued her tennis career representing Australia.
“Australia is a place I love, is incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home. I love being in Melbourne and look forward to making my home there,” Kasatkina had written in a statement.
Because of the ongoing war, athletes from Russia and Belarus have been competing under a neutral flag. Kasatkina was among them until recently, when she began competing under the Australian flag.
‘Truth and dignity’
After their match, Kostyuk praised Kasatkina, acknowledging her decision to give up Russian citizenship.
“Since the beginning of the war, I’ve chosen not to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players. But when someone not only tells the truth – calling Russia the aggressor – but also acts on it, that deserves respect,” Kostyuk wrote in a post on Instagram.
“Daria Kasatkina has clearly spoken out against the war and made the decision to give up her Russian sports citizenship. That takes courage – and I acknowledge it. I hope this is not the final step, but part of a deeper commitment. I stand with Ukraine. I stand for truth, for dignity, and for those who choose to speak and act – when staying quiet would be easier,” Kostyuk added.
Why did Daria Kasatkina change nationality?
Kasatkina previously shared that, as a member of the LGBTQ community, remaining in Russia had become increasingly difficult—especially after the country began prosecuting individuals for displaying pro-LGBTQ+ imagery.
“It is tough. Honestly, it was one of my main reasons why I had to make this step and change my nationality because if I wanted to live a free, open life as I wanted, unfortunately I couldn’t do it in Russia. I had to find another place. And I did,” Kasatkina said earlier.
In 2022, Kasatkina publicly came out as gay and got engaged to her partner, Natalia Zabiiako. The couple also runs a YouTube channel called What the Vlog.”