06 March 2023 , 14:49
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Ukraine’s highest ranked tennis player Marta Kostyuk made a very clear stance after defeating Russian rival Varvara Greacheva to claim her maiden WTA title.
The 20-year-old claimed victory by the score of 6-3, 7-5 in Austin, Texas and refused to shake hands with her opponent post-match. The new world number 40 has frequently criticised players from Russia and Belarus for not condemning the war.
She has been among the most outspoken players about the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players to continue playing on tour after the invasion of Ukraine. This is not the first time the tennis star has rejected the post-match pleasantries either, as she refused to shake the hand of Belarusian Victoria Azarenka following a 6-2, 6-3 defeat at the US Open last September.
“It was just my choice,” Kostyuk said of skipping the handshake, adding: “We had a great match, don’t get me wrong. She’s a great competitor, I respect her as an athlete, but that has nothing to do with her as a human being.”
In January, the Ukrainian national Kostyuk said as long as Russian and Belarusian competitors speak out against their nations' actions, they should be allowed to continue to enter events and admitted she rarely engages with them. She said: "Whoever speaks out clearly I believe has every right to be on tour but whoever doesn't… I don't think it's just humane. I don't really talk to anyone [Russian and Belarusian competitors] I barely say 'hi' to them."
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In Sunday's championship match between two first-time WTA singles finalists at the inaugural ATX Open, the Ukrainian took the first set and saved a set point in the second. Two points later Kostuyk ended a rally with a winning volley to break for 5-5.
She then followed a cheeky underarm serve with a passing winner to hold for 6-5, before breaking Gracheva's serve once again to claim a fourth straight game and clinch the title. Overcome with emotion, Kostyuk dropped to her knees as her opponent’s final forehand sailed long. "Very surreal," she said during the trophy presentation. "I was just playing match by match, and I think this is how you win tournaments, I guess!
Kostyuk didn't shake hands with Belarusian Victoria Azarenka after losing to her at last year's US Open (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)"It’s not so easy to talk right now, but obviously I'm extremely happy. I’m just happy to be healthy and happy to play tennis and see the crowd enjoy my game." Kostyuk, one of the most vocal Ukrainian players regarding the war, dedicated her victory to those suffering in her country.
“Being in the position that I’m in right now, it’s extremely special to win this title,” she said. “I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and to all the people who are fighting and dying right now.”
Kostyuk has compiled a 15-6 win-loss record for the year thus far (including main-draw and qualifying results) and with the win she has entered the world’s top 40 for the first time in her burgeoning career.