The 20-year-old Ukrainian has been the most vocal critic of the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players to continue competing.
During the presentation ceremony, Kostyuk said: “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 to all the people who are fighting and dying right now.” Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk dedicated her first WTA Tour title to “all the people who are fighting and dying” after beating Russia’s Varvara Gracheva at the ATX Open.
Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk refuses to shake Russian opponent Varvara Gracheva's hand after maiden WTA win · Kostyuk has been critical of Russian players who have ...
“Being in the position that I’m in right now, it’s extremely special to win this title,” Kostyuk said. [Kostyuk secured her first senior tournament win at the ATX Open](/sport/tennis/marta-kostyuk-donna-vekic-austin-monterrey-mexico-b2294814.html) with a 6-3 7-5 victory over Gracheva. The eighth seed dedicated her victory to “all the people who are fighting and dying” in the conflict.
After her maiden WTA title at the ATX Open, Ukraines Marta Kostyuk dedicated the watershed moment to her countryman dying in the war.
"It's not so easy to talk right now, but obviously I'm extremely happy. During the presentation ceremony, Kostyuk said: "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 to all the people who are fighting and dying right now."
The Ukrainian tennis star enjoyed her greatest achievement in the game so far by securing her first title win against an opponent she did not engage with in ...
“Being in the position that I’m in right now, it’s extremely special to win this title,” she said. 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. "It’s not so easy to talk right now, but obviously I'm extremely happy. "Very surreal," she said during the trophy presentation. Two points later Kostuyk ended a rally with a winning volley to break for 5-5. “It was just my choice,” Kostyuk said of skipping the handshake, adding: “We had a great match, don’t get me wrong.
Kyiv-born tennis star Marta Kostyuk, 20, made an emotional speech dedicating her first major tournament title to her country last night, as it continues to ...
Russian player Ms Gracheva, 22, lost in the WTA final to Ms Kostyuk. In the tearful interview afterwards, 52nd-ranked Ms Kostyuk said: 'Being in the position that I am in right now, it's extremely special to win this title. The Ukrainian player has previously slammed players from Russia and Belarus for not taking a stand against the war in Ukraine Footage showed her pointedly ignoring Ms Gracheva as she ran across the court to celebrate with fans. Obviously, we don't want the war, too.' 'I don't really talk to anyone.
Ukraines Marta Kostyuk does not shake hand of Russian opponent Varvara Gracheva after claiming her maiden WTA Tour title in Texas; Kostyuk has been ...
"I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and to all the people who are fighting and dying right now." Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk dedicated her first WTA Tour title to "all the people who are fighting and dying" after beating Russia's Varvara Gracheva at the ATX Open in Texas. Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk does not shake hand of Russian opponent Varvara Gracheva after claiming her maiden WTA Tour title in Texas; Kostyuk has been outspoken about Russian and Belarusian players being allowed to compete following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022
Alexandr Dolgopolov hit back after some questioned Marta Kostyuk's decision not to shake her Russian opponent's hand.
I want to dedicate this title to [Ukraine](https://www.express.co.uk/latest/ukraine) and to all the people who are fighting and dying right now. [Ukraine](https://www.express.co.uk/latest/ukraine). It’s not the first time Kostyuk has taken a stand against her Russian and Belarusian colleagues, as she was part of a group of Ukrainians including the likes of Elina Svitolina who praised Wimbledon for banning players from the two nations last year, calling on other events to do the same. Explaining why the WTA world No 40’s move was important to make a statement, he added: “Putin has giant support in Dolgopolov has slammed those trying to undermine Kostyuk’s statement, tweeting: “I see, some still don’t get it.” Kostyuk has come under fire for her decision and the 34-year-old told those questioning her to “be quiet”.
Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Varvara Gracheva, a Russian, after she won the ATX Open in Austin, Texas on Sunday.
In 2022, Russian and Belarusian players were banned from competing at the Grand Slam. "Whoever speaks out [regarding the war] clearly I believe has every right to be on tour but whoever doesn't... "I don't really talk to anyone [Russian and Belarusian competitors] I barely say 'hi' to them." However, much like at Grand Slam events over the past year, flags of the two countries aren't allowed to be displayed by competitors and fans alike. She's a great competitor, I respect her as an athlete, but that has nothing to do with her as a human being." "We had a great match, don't get me wrong.