Ukrainian tennis player Anhelina Kalinina would not warmly greet Veronika Kudermetova, her Russian adversary, following the previous' triumph in the elimination rounds of the Rome Experts in Italy on Friday.
Addressing correspondents after the match at Foro Italico, Rome, Kalinina said, "We didn't shake hands on the grounds that the young lady is from Russia fundamentally. I didn't shake, and it's obvious why: this nation actually attacks Ukraine.
Yes, I understand that this is sport, but it's also a political issue. Thus, it does not involve anything personal. However, in general, it is unacceptable.
Kudermetova responded, "I mean, here we are athletes," when asked about her relationship with Kalinina and the influence of "political overtones." We are here, and we enjoy our work here. It doesn't matter where you come from. We're competitors and that is all there is to it. We are here to play tennis."
Kalinina referred to Kudermetova as "a top player, a very great player" and refuted the notion that her opponent's nationality contributed to the tumultuous nature of the match. It dealt with tennis.
Kalinina, who beat Kudermetova, who came into the tournament ranked No. 12 in the world, in three sets, 7-5, 5-7, and 6-2.
The 26-year-old Ukrainian was gotten some information about her family, who are as of now residing in Kyiv, and uncovered a bomb detonated close to the tennis foundation where her folks work. She likewise said her grandparents, in the long run, created some distance from Nova Kakhovka, her old neighbourhood, after a blast close to their home.
"For me it’s 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 I give a tiny little light and maybe some positive emotions for my country," Kalinina said in her on-court interview following the match.
In Saturday's final, Kalinina will take on either Elena Rybakina. Rybakina, who was born in Russia, has been a Kazakhstani soccer player since 2018.
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