Latvian star tennis player refused to shake hands with Belarusian athlete after defeat in Doha

Eleventh racket in the world Elena Ostapenko who represents Latvia, refused to shake hands with Belarusian Victoria Azarenka after losing in the 1/8 finals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha.

Ostapenko did not offer her hand after the match, but rather held out her racket. Azarenka did not approve and refused to hold out her racket in response.

Latvians are prohibited from competing with Russians and Belarusians in team sports regardless their neutral status, according to Latvian law on sports.

Previously, Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk reportedly withdrew from the match against the Russian player.

Read also: Four Ukrainian tennis players enter the top 30 of world rankings

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine