Russian and Belarusian stars sent fresh snub as Ukrainian issues Wimbledon plea

Elina Svitolina will not shake hands with her opponent (Image: GETTY) Elena Svitolina has vowed to stick to her guns in refusing to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players at Wimbledon ahead of her clash with Victoria Azarenka tonight. Svitolina faces two-time major champion Azarenka in a blockbuster fourth-round tie in the first match of the tournament a Ukraine tennis player faces someone from either Russia or Belarus. Matches involving Ukraine players and the countries backing Russia ‘s invasion have had an added air of tension for over a year now with players not shaking hands at the net. Svitolina has been one of the most outspoken Ukrainian tennis players against the Russian invasion and hit the headlines last month at the French Open. Playing in her first Grand Slam since giving birth, Svitolina faced off against two Russian players and she was booed by the Parisian crowd for not shaking hands with Daria Kasatkina. There was even further drama in the quarter-finals when her opponent Aryna Sabalenka walked up to the net for a handshake, only to be snubbed by Svitolina. The Ukrainian was once again booed after the match, who said Sabalenka should have known better. And Wimbledon is set for its first stand-off today when Svitolina faces off against Azarenka. Victoria Azarenka will be snubbed at the net (Image: Getty) The 33-year-old was initially set to take part in a Ukraine aid event last year along with Iga Swiatek, Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe. But Ukrainian players were unhappy about Azarenka’s participation with the Belarusian eventually pulling out. And Azarenka may have to prepare for a snub at the net in her Wimbledon clash with Svitolina, who has now plans to change her stance. The Ukrainian also hopes that the Wimbledon crowd will be more understanding than those who booed her at the French Open. ‘I played a couple of players from Belarus and Russia in Strasbourg and Paris. Nothing new for me, it’s just a big motivation to go out there and try to win and to try to win for my country,” she told the BBC . “Definitely there was a lot of misunderstanding in Paris because in Strasbourg everyone understood my position as well, so hopefully it will be the same understanding in a way from the British crowd.