CNN
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The Ukrainian tennis player Anhanhalina Kalinina refused to join hands with her Russian rival Veronica Kudematova after the earlier victory of Rome’s Masters in Italy in Italy.
Talking to reporters after the match in Four Italico, Rome, Kalinina said, “We did not shook hands because the girl is originally from Russia. It’s no secret why I do not move, because this country actually attacks Ukraine.
“So yes, this is a game, I understand, but this is also a kind of political thing. So, yes, it’s nothing personal. But in general, yes, it’s not acceptable.”
Kudematova was asked about her relationship with Kalinina and the impact of “political overtone”, and he replied, “I mean, here we are athletes. We are here, and we love what we do here. No matter which country you are. We are athletes and this is that we are here to play tennis.”
Kalinina denied the idea that her opponent’s nationality impressed the topss-torvian nature of the match, describing Kudematova as “a top player, a very great player. It was about tennis.”
Kalinina, who came to the tournament, ranked number 47 in the world as compared to Kudematova at number 1, won three sets in 7-5 5-7 6-2.
26-year-old Ukrainian was asked about his family, who are currently living in Kiev, and revealed a bomb blast near the Tennis Academy where his parents work. He also said that his grandparents finally moved away from his hometown after an explosion near his house.
In his on-court interview after the match, Kalinina said, “It is also really important for me to win every match, because you know what Ukraine goes through, I just want to say that I really hope that I give a small light to my country and perhaps some positive feelings.”
Kalinina will face either Elena Rybikina in Saturday’s final. Rybakina was born in Russia, but has represented Kazakhstan since 2018.
