The Russian player had received a warning for her conduct. She later spoke to reporters about the issue saying:
“It’s very sad that people are seeing things that isn’t actually the truth. I’m just a super fan of Spartak since I was 10 years old. My dad built part of the stadium for this team, so it’s our family thing.”
She also admitted that she had been taken aback by the WTA’s ruling on the matter.
“We were surprised but whatever. It’s as I said, people are seeing what they only want to see,” she said.
Potapova went up against Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk in the Opening round of the Miami Open on Thursday. She won the match but Kostyuk refused to shake her hand in the end.
“Obviously there is tension,” said Kostyuk.
“Like, we’re not friends. We’re at war at the moment.”
The Ukrainian also had something to say about the WTA’s warning to Potapova, saying:
“There are a lot of things that I don’t agree with that WTA is doing. Warning? Whatever. You give her a warning. Do you want to suspend someone? I don’t know. I can’t comment on that really. It’s just funny.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been heavily felt in the tennis world, most notably with the All-England Club’s banning of Russian and Belarusian players. The ban, however, is expected to be lifted soon.