Belgian tennis player refused to shake hands with the No. 1 ranked player of Belarus at the US Open and ended her career. Video

Belgium's No. 5 Maryna Zanevska (No. 112WTA Odesa native who changed her citizenship in 2016) ignored the best tennis player in Belarus Aryna Sobolenko at the US Open. The 30-year-old ex-Ukrainian did not shake her hand with the world No. 2 after her defeat in the first round (3:6, 2:6), who was waiting for her at the net.

Sobolenko didn't realize that no one was going to congratulate her, so she headed to the chair umpire, feeling disappointed. Zanevska thanked the referee for the work and went to her stuff.

Maryna could not contain her emotions commenting on what happened.

"I know I represent Belgium, but my whole family is in Ukraine. I respect Aryna as a tennis player. She is a great champion and a hard worker ... What she does in tennis is amazing. But my family members are fighting on the front lines. I think that if I shake her hand, it would be the same as spitting in their faces," the Ukrainian-Belgian was quoted by nst.com.my citing AFP.

Zanevska announced the end of her professional career after this match.

"I am leaving the tennis world with my head held high. I believe that I did the right thing," the athlete added.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Zanevska had a real panic attack at a tournament in France on May 29 and cried because of a sound that reminded her of the war in Ukraine.

Only verified information from us on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!