Kostyuk is from Ukraine while Sabalenka is Belarusian. Russia, with the help of Belarus, invaded Ukraine. The tension between the countries has translated into world tennis as well.
Last year, Wimbledon and the All-England Lawn & Tennis Club refused to let Russian and Belarusian players play in the Grand Slam. This led to Wimbledon being stripped of its ranking points for the year.
Sabalenka and Kostyuk will meet in the first round of the French Open, the Belarusian does not expect the Ukrainian to shake hands with her.
“If they feel good not shaking hands, I’m happy with that,” said Sabalenka.
Sabalenka also added that she did not want to waste energy on other things aside from playing the game.
“It’s none of my business, you know. If she hates me, OK. I can’t do anything about that.
“There are going to be people who love me, there are going to be people who hate me. If she hates me, I don’t feel anything like that to her.
“I kind of understand why they are not shaking hands. At the same time, I feel like sports shouldn’t be in politics, we’re just athletes.”
Sabalenka is looking to win back-to-back Grand Slams after winning at the Australian Open back in January.
She also has the chance to become the WTA World Number 1 for the first time if she overtakes Iga Swiatek in the rankings.
During last years US Open, Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Belarusian Victoria Azarenka. She also said that seeing Russian flags waved by supporters at the Australian Open, hurt a lot.