Paula Badosa says she had “nothing to do” with the uncomfortable post-match handshake with Marta Kostyuk at the Australian Open.
The Spanish 11th seed won through to the fourth round at Melbourne Park with a 6-4 4-6 6-3 win over the Ukrainian at KIA Arena.
At the customary handshake at the end of the match, Kostyuk appeared to avoid eye contact with Badosa during the embrace.
Badosa on the frosty handshake with Kostyuk at #AusOpen
“It’s just her. I think she has her own things with Ukraine, the war, and things she’s been vocal about. She lost a tough match, the conditions were tough – it’s a combination of everything. I don’t think it was personal.” pic.twitter.com/RtyImIlfh8
— Ukrainian Tennis • BTU (@ukrtennis_eng) January 17, 2025
AUSTRALIAN OPEN NEWS
When asked about the incident by the media, Badosa explained that any animosity between the duo was coming from Kostyuk.
“No, it’s just her,” Badosa said in her post-match press conference.
“I think she has her own things going on with Ukraine, the war, and all these things that she’s been very vocal about. I’m not in that, honestly.
“I think it was a bit that and maybe also that she lost a tough match, and also the conditions were tough for both of us.
“So I think it’s a combination of everything, but I think I have nothing to do with that.”
Badosa has been a long-time friend of Belarusian world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, who Kostyuk refused to shake hands with at the French Open in 2023.
The Spanish No. 1 will play the winner of Jessica Pegula and Olga Danilovic in the last 16.
