Ukrainian tennis player Lyudmyla Kichenok explains refusal to shake Mladenovic's hand due to threats
www.pravda.com.ua
Wed, 22 Jan 2025 14:33:57 +0200
Ukrainian tennis player Lyudmyla Kichenok explained her refusal to shake hands with French tennis player Kristina Mladenovic at the Australian Open tournament, stating that after accidentally hitting Mladenovic with the ball, the French player made a threatening remark.
Source Kichenok in an exclusive interview with Champion, a sports news platform within Ukrainska Pravdas holding company Quote Ive already reported this to the WTA Womens Tennis Association and hope youll help raise awareness about it as well.
However, I dont think its right to shake hands with someone who threatens me.
After I accidentally hit her with the ball and apologised repeatedly, she came to the net and said, Watch out next time.
I dont believe its necessary to shake her hand after that.
If she cant handle losing properly and resorts to threats, I think thats unacceptable in our sport, Kichenok said.
She also addressed the incident publicly on her Instagram.
Quote I would like to clarify the situation that has happened in my third round at the Australian Open match against Kristina Mladenovic.
I was publicly accused of bad sportsmanship.
I would like to say my word.
I received a very direct threat from my opponent during the match after unintentionally hitting her with a tennis ball.
The response to my numerous apologies was You watch out next time.
I dont consider appropriate the act of respect like shake of hands in the end of the match with people who use verbal threats sic.
Period, Kichenok said.
Background Kichenok exited the Australian Open at the 1/8 final stage of the doubles draw, losing to the duo of Mladenovic/Shuai in a straightset match. During the traditional postmatch handshake at the net, Kichenok avoided making contact with Mladenovic.
Although the French tennis player extended her hand, the Ukrainian ignored it, quickly shaking hands with Zhang and leaving the court.
Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai reached the final at the US Open last season, where they were defeated by Lyudmyla Kichenok and Latvias Jeena Ostapenko.
Additionally, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina ended her participation in the Australian Open singles draw last night.
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