20-year-old Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk Sunday night refused to shake her Russian opponent’s hand after beating her in a WTA final – and then dedicated her win to those ‘fighting and dying’ in her homeland.
She sobbed on the court after beating Varvara Gracheva 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the ATX Open in Austin, Texas.
Following her win Sunday night, Ms Kostyuk was seen shaking hands with the umpire but passed her opponent by.
Footage showed her pointedly ignoring Ms Gracheva as she ran across the court to celebrate with fans.
Ms Kostyuk has previously been outspoken about the tennis world’s response to the Russian invasion of her homeland, saying anti-war platitudes weren’t enough.
At the Australian Open in January, Ms Kostyuk said it had been ‘very upsetting’ to see Novak Djokovic‘s father, Srdjan, posing there alongside a Russian flag with president Vladimir Putin‘s face on it.
She also refused to shake hands at the US Open with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
During the trophy ceremony, the tearful Kyiv native said: ‘Everyone who is in the stands and everyone who is watching, especially in Ukraine, I want to say Slava Ukraini (the Ukrainian phrase translates to ‘Glory to Ukraine’).
She went on to pay tribute to those fighting and living through the brutal Russian invasion.
‘Being in the position that I’m in right now it’s extremely special to win this title. ‘I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and all of the people who are fighting and dying right now.’
She described the atmosphere of the event as ‘one of the nicest’ she had attended, adding that it had felt like a ‘home tournament’.
Ranked number 52 entering last week, she has now risen to a career high of 40 following her win.
I fully support Marta’s decision. No russian or belorussian players should be allowed to play in any tournaments/games unless they have publicly denounced the russian invasion of Ukraine. They must not be allowed to enrich themselves while their murderous armies are killing in Ukraine. The WTA, the ATP, the IOC and the NHL should all have the balls to prohibit participation like the Wimbledon organizers last year. No big loss. That they do not shows where their morals are.