“Why sportsmanship matters: Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk advocates for respectful tennis crowds at the French Open”

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk expresses disappointment at French Open crowd’s behavior

The French Open, one of the grand slams of tennis, kicked off on Sunday, May 28, 2023, and one unexpected scene became the most noteworthy event of the day. Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk criticized the crowd at Court Philippe Chatrier for booing and derisively whistling at her after the first-round match against Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka and for failing to understand why she did not congratulate her opponent after the match. Kostyuk explained that she was avoiding a handshake because of her refusal to exchange pleasantries with athletes from Belarus or Russia following Russia’s large drone attack in Ukraine, which happened just hours before the match. The attack resulted in at least one death and was the largest drone attack by Russia since the start of its invasion of Ukraine, assisted by Belarus in 2022.

The Significance of Sportsmanship in Tennis and Society at Large

The incident regarding Kostyuk and the French Open crowd highlights the significance of sportsmanship in tennis and society at large. Sportsmanship is an integral part of any sport, and it should be treated as an extension of life values. In tennis, sportsmanship means playing “fairly and keeping with the rules, being gracious in victory or defeat.” Players are expected to show respect not only to their opponents but also to officials, fans, and racquet strings. Crowds must also be respectful towards players, especially during these unprecedented times when athletes around the world face multiple challenges beyond sport, such as the global pandemic, political instability, and war.

The incident with Kostyuk raises the question of who is responsible for ensuring sportsmanship and how to engage crowds in sportsmanship practices. Tennis officials and players, as well as sports commentators and journalists, must prioritize tennis etiquette’s importance and use their influence and platforms to remind fans about respectful behavior and the values of fair play, especially during grand slam events. Spectators must also understand and take seriously their responsibility for ensuring respectful behavior towards athletes and acknowledge that they are more than just tennis players.

Kostyuk and Sabalenka’s Reaction and Tennis as a Platform for Social Justice

In this situation, both Kostyuk and Sabalenka’s reactions reflected tennis‘s potential as a platform for social justice. Following the match, journalists asked Sabalenka about her statement on the war in Ukraine, to which she replied articulately that no normal person would support a war, and athletes could not influence political decisions. Her statement shows that athletes, regardless of their nationality, can use their platforms to promote positive values and effect positive societal change by reinforcing messages of peace and inclusion. It would be inspiring for other athletes to be vocal about vital societal issues actively.

Kostyuk’s response, on the other hand, demonstrates how athletes can become both victims and survivors beyond the sports arena. The fact that she knows the threat of death looms over her country’s skies shows that it’s not just about winning or losing a tennis match but also that life is precarious and valued in many different countries and regions. Kostyuk’s experience reflects tennis‘s broader significance and affirms the need to advocate for peaceful solutions to political conflicts.

Editorial and Advice

At this year’s French Open, athletes showed us that sportsmanship means more than one congratulations or a handshake. The athletes reminded us that sport serves a broader purpose beyond the mere pursuit of victory; it could be instrumental in bringing social justice and promoting positive societal change. Commentators and officials should stress the importance of sportsmanship, respect, and fair play on and off the tennis court, especially for grand slam events. Fans also must take positive action to promote inclusive, respectful, and peaceful societies and reflect on how their behavior could influence society at large. Tennis players must recognize the potential of their platforms and become actively involved in promoting values of peace and inclusivity. When we come together in these ways through sport, we can create a better world.