Last Ukrainian at Australian Open speaks out about the HURT she felt from pro-Russian demonstrations
‘These things can’t be left unnoticed’: last Ukrainian at the Australian Open talks about the HURT she felt from pro-Russian speeches, Novak Djokovic’s father – and fears of insults from ‘aggressive’ fans
The last representative of Ukraine at the Australian Open spoke about her resentment at the pro-Russian demonstrations that broke out in Melbourne Park.
Marta Kostyuk lost in the women’s doubles semi-final alongside Gabriele Ruse and was shocked by the sight of Putin supporters attending Novak Djokovic’s quarter-final match on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old also mentioned her reluctance to comment on the storm around her father Srdjan associated with them after she was hit with a flurry of hate from fans of the Serbian star.
Marta Kostyuk spoke about her resentment at the pro-Russian demonstrations at the Australian Open
A fan at the tournament was pictured with Russia’s ultra-nationalist military symbol “Z”.
Novak Djokovic’s father Srdjan was also seen in footage with the Russian flag at the tournament.
“It hurts a lot because there were certain rules that were printed out on the street, you weren’t allowed to take out flags and so on,” she said after losing 6-2 6-2 to Czechs Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Sinyakova.
Asked about Srdjan Djokovic’s connections to a fringe of fans claiming support for the Russian language, she declined to comment, although she spoke out frankly on issues related to her home country.
“I think that these things should not be left unnoticed, because no matter who you are, no one is allowed to do this. This is very frustrating. I can’t give you an answer on what the tournament should do.
Kostyuk was the last Ukrainian at the Open and she was shocked to see Putin supporters.
A group of fans also chanted “Russia, Serbia” due to the close cultural ties between the two countries.
First of all, it’s not in my power. Secondly, no matter what I say, I will be hated for the rest of my life, especially by very aggressive Novak fans.
“People know that, although not all, Novak has a very aggressive fan base. I know this because I have experienced it in the past. I received so much hate, especially from Serbian fans.”
As Wimbledon ponders in the coming months whether to lift its bans on players from Russia and Belarus, it tends to think he should stay.
Djokovic (left) with his father Srjan. After watching his son’s quarter-final win at the Australian Open, Srdjan was seen posing with a Russian flag that featured Vladimir Putin’s face.
“For me, this will be a difficult moment for Wimbledon,” she said. ‘I think yes. Because I can’t imagine if someone Russian or Belarusian wins the tournament, and then I think so.
“Because I can’t imagine if someone Russian or Belarusian wins the tournament and then the royal family has to keep the trophies with them. I can hardly imagine it.
“This is one of the main reasons why they were actually banned. So I think so.
