Aryna Sabalenka reacts to Marta Kostyuk refusing to shake hands after Brisbane International final: 'Doesn't matter if..

Aryna Sabalenka started the new year on a high as she won the Brisbane International on Sunday to get her first trophy of 2026. She defeated Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in straight sets in the final to get the title and boost her confidence ahead of the upcoming Australian Open.

Apart from Sabalenka’s skill, the match also attracted attention because Kostyuk refused to shake hands with the women’s world number one after the match. Kostyuk has maintained her policy of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian players since 2022 due to Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The 23-year-old Ukrainian had also adopted the same stance against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva whom she defeated in the quarterfinal of the tournament.

Sabalenka doesn’t care about Kostyuk handshake refusal

Sabalenka respected Kostyuk’s stance and said she does not care about it as for her these matches are about her tennis.

“Well, it’s their position. It’s their position. What can I do? I don’t mind that. I don’t care about that. When I go into the match, it’s all about tennis and sport,” Sabalenka said on the incident.

She also said that she goes out on the court to win irrespective of what the opponent does.

“When I go out there, I think about my tennis and the things I have to do to get the win. Doesn’t matter if it’s Marta Kostyuk or Jessica Pegula there. I still go out there and I still try my best, and I’ll still fight for the trophy. I have nothing to prove. I go there and I just compete as an athlete,” the Belarusian said.

Sabalenka registered a dominating 6-4 6-3 win in the final to warm up for the Australian Open where she will be attempting to make her fourth consecutive final in Melbourne. After winning the title in 2023 and 2024, Sabalenka had lost on a hat-trick of titles last year after losing to Madison Keys.

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