Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska has revealed the devastating aftermath of a Russian missile attack that obliterated her flat, just days after she played at the US Open. Yastremska stated that only a towel from Roland Garros survived the strike and posted videos and photographs of the harrowing scenes.

Ukrainian tennis players have utilised Grand Slams to highlight the continuing conflict. The WTA and ATP continue to conceal Russian and Belarusian flags beside players representing those countries, including Aryna Sabalenka, who would go on to compete in the US Open final. And just hours before Sabalenka faced Elena Rybakina, Yastremska disclosed the tragic news. “Tonight. This is what the ‘Russian world’ looks like, A direct hit by a Kalibr cruise missile,” Yastremska wrote on Instagram.

Marta Kostyuk made a powerful gesture by refusing to shake hands with Belarusian player Victoria Azarenka following their second-round encounter at the US Open in September 2022. This pattern persisted at this year’s tournament.

Elina Svitolina declined to acknowledge her Russian rival, Anna Kalinskaya, following the shock loss and has been outspoken regarding her position in recent times. Svitolina has even confronted Sabalenka, who held the World No.1 ranking for 99 weeks.

Svitolina forewarned all Russian and Belarusian competitors during media briefings that handshakes would not be forthcoming. At the 2023 French Open, Sabalenka remained at the net following her victory, while Svitolina received jeers from spectators for disregarding her.

don’t know, to be fair, what she was waiting for, because my statements were clear enough about the handshake.”

Svitolina then accused Sabalenka of purposely standing by the net to agitate the situation. “My initial reaction, was like, what are you doing? Because, in all my press conferences, I made my position clear. Maybe she’s not on social media during the tournaments, but it is pretty clear.

“I made multiple statements that I’m not shaking hands, and she played obviously Marta [Kostyuk] as well in the first round. So it’s quite simple.”