Ukrainian Tennis Star Wins Championship, Refuses To Shake Russian’s Hand

The 20-yearold Ukrainian tennis star was overcome with emotion after she beat her Russian 22-yearold opponent in a WTA final. pointedly eschewed After the match, shake the hand of the Russian.

Marta Kostyuk was born in Kyiv, and is ranked 52^http://nd. in the world going into the tournament, defeated Varvara Gracheva 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the ATX Open in Austin, Texas.

“Being in the position that I am in right now, it’s extremely special to win this title,” Kostyuk stated after the match. “I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and to all the people who are fighting and dying right now.”

Kostyuk, in January at the Australian Open acknowledged that it was “very upsetting” Novak Djokovic’s dad, Srdjan is pictured next to a Russian flag with the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Before that, during the 2022 US Open 20,22 she declined to shake hands at Victoria Fyodarauna Azarenka from Belarus who won the match. Instead, she tapped rackets. Because Azarenka did not support the Russian invasion in Ukraine, she explained that she wouldn’t shake hands.

“It was my choice – I don’t feel like I don’t know any single person who condemned the war publicly, and the actions of their government, so I don’t feel like I can support this,” She told ESPN. “Don’t get me wrong, she’s a great competitor. But it has nothing to do with her being a human being.”

Azarenka stated that she was open to having a conversation about Kostyuk. “I’m open to any time to listen, to try to understand, to sympathize. I believe that empathy in the moment like this is really important, which has, again, been my clear message in the beginning.”

After Kostyuk stated that she did not approve of Azarenka’s participation in a USTA Peace for Ukraine fundraising event, Azarenka was forced to withdraw. “It’s a no-brainer for me,” Azarenka said. “Like, why wouldn’t I participate in a humanitarian aid for people who are really struggling right now?”

Kostyuk acknowledged that she avoided speaking with Russian and Belarusian tourists, but admitted to it. “I don’t really talk to anyone. I barely say hi to them.”

“I haven’t changed about the war and everything that’s going on, on tour,” Sie said. “Because people who just say they don’t want war, it makes us [Ukraine] sound like we want war. Obviously, we don’t want the war, too. … 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.”

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