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\n \n Tennis player Elina Svitolina<\/a> called her opponent, Russian<\/a> Daria Kasatkina, a \u201cbrave one\u201d following the Ukrainian\u2019s upset win on Sunday.\n <\/p>\n \n Svitolina<\/a>, who previously said she would not shake hands<\/a> with Russian and Belarusian opponents out of respect for the men and women defending Ukraine, told reporters that she \u201cacknowledged\u201d Kasatkina after the match.\n <\/p>\n \n Kasatkina has been outspoken in her criticism of the war, describing it last year as a \u201cnightmare,\u201d according to the New York Times. <\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n Last month, Kasatkina, Russia\u2019s top-ranked female tennis player, also expressed her sympathy for Ukrainian tennis players who refuse to shake her hand after matches.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cReally thankful for her position that she took. She\u2019s [a] really brave person to say it publicly, that not so many players did,\u201d Svitolina said, after advancing to the quarterfinals of the French Open.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cShe\u2019s a brave one.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Instead of a hand shake, Kasatkina gave her opponent a thumbs up at the net after losing the match 6-4 7-6 (7-5). She later said she was disappointed to hear boos from some members of the crowd.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cLeaving Paris with a very bitter feeling. All this days, after every match I\u2019ve played in Paris I always appreciate and thanked crowd for support and being there for the players,\u201d Kasatkina tweeted<\/a> Monday.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cBut yesterday I was booed for just being respectful on my opponent\u2019s position not to shake hands.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cMe and Elina showed respect to each other after a tough match but leaving the court like that was the worse part of yesterday. Be better, love each other. Don\u2019t spread hate. Try to make this world better.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Kasatkina, who last year announced she was gay and criticized Russia\u2019s attitudes towards homosexuality, has maintained her stance against the war in Ukraine.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cThe saddest part is the war still going on,\u201d the 26-year-old said last month. \u201cSo of course, players from Ukraine have got a lot of reasons to not shake our hands. I accept it and it is how it is. It\u2019s a very sad situation and I understand.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Playing in her first major since the 2022 Australian Open and first since becoming a mother, Svitolina said she was just focused on recovery and preparing for her next match.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cOf course I would love to win here,\u201d Svitolina said. \u201cIt will be the dream, but it\u2019s always been in my career like step by step.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cI think this is the only right way to do, to not look too much into the future, because otherwise you lose your focus from the small things that brings you to win the matches.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Svitolina will play Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the next round on Tuesday.\n <\/p>\n
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