Marta Kostyuk's coach Sandra Zaniewska has unexpectedly found herself at the center of a debate during the French Open, and this time it has nothing to do with tennis results. The discussion started after fans noticed Zaniewska wearing an IM8 cap during media appearances and practice sessions in Paris. The brand has a connection to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, a player whose relationship with Kostyuk has remained tense since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Because of Kostyuk's strong public stance on the war and her criticism of links between athletes and companies connected to Russia and Belarus, some fans questioned why her coach was seen promoting a brand associated with Sabalenka.
The situation quickly gained attention on social media, where several users pointed out the connection. While neither Kostyuk nor Zaniewska has publicly commented on the matter, the images were enough to spark discussion during one of the biggest tournaments of the season.
Why Sandra Zaniewska's IM8 cap and Aryna Sabalenka connection sparked questions during the French Open
The controversy centers around IM8, a wellness brand operated by Prenetics, a Hong Kong-based health sciences and biotechnology company. The company was co-founded by former soccer star David Beckham. Aryna Sabalenka is involved with the business as a global brand ambassador and also holds a shareholder role. Because of that connection, some fans felt Zaniewska's choice of headwear appeared surprising given Marta Kostyuk's well-known position on issues related to the war in Ukraine.
Over the past few years, Kostyuk has been one of the most outspoken Ukrainian players on the tour. The Kyiv native has often spoken about the impact of the war on her country. She also declined post-match handshakes with several Russian and Belarusian players, including Aryna Sabalenka, after matches.
Although Sabalenka has repeatedly said that she is against war, the relationship between the two players has remained strained. Their differing views and the ongoing political backdrop have frequently drawn attention whenever they compete at the same events.
Meanwhile, Zaniewska recently spoke about the challenges Kostyuk faces while competing during such difficult circumstances. In an interview with Roland Garros, she explained how hard it can be for the Ukrainian star to receive troubling news from home while trying to focus on tennis.
"I always say that I don't experience what she's going through. I'm not there to give advice or pretend to understand. I start from the premise that I don't understand. I can only be by her side and tell her that I support her, that's all I told her, 'I'm here,' that's all. Of course, she's thinking about it. I tried to make her laugh a little, to lighten the mood."
Zaniewska has coached Kostyuk since June 2023 and has helped guide her to some of the best results of her career, including a WTA 1000 title in Madrid and a career-high ranking of World No. 13. As Kostyuk continues her French Open run, attention remains on both her performances and the conversation surrounding her coach's unexpected choice of cap.
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