Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts during the Brisbane International final against Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. Reuters
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Firstpost12-01-2026, 15:53

Sabalenka on Kostyuk Handshake Snub: 'Doesn't Matter If...' After Brisbane Win

  • Aryna Sabalenka won the Brisbane International, defeating Marta Kostyuk in straight sets for her first 2026 trophy.
  • Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Sabalenka, maintaining her policy against Russian/Belarusian players since 2022 due to the Ukraine invasion.
  • Kostyuk had also declined a handshake with Mirra Andreeva in the tournament's quarterfinal.
  • Sabalenka stated she doesn't care about the handshake refusal, focusing solely on her tennis and winning the match.
  • Sabalenka dominated the final with a 6-4, 6-3 victory, preparing for the Australian Open where she aims for her fourth consecutive final.

Why It Matters: Sabalenka prioritizes her tennis and performance over handshake controversies after winning the Brisbane International.

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