Instead of shaking hands at the net, Ms Kostyuk opted for a quick racket tap, as she felt it was inappropriate to shake hands given Ms Azarenka's failure to condemn the war. She first made the protest at the US Open 2022 in New York, when she refused to shake hands with former world number one Ms Azarenka, 33. '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,' she said. Outside of matches, Ms Kostyuk explained that she barely spoke to Russian and Belarusian players on the tour. 'Because people who just say they don't want war, it makes us sound like we want war.

'I haven't changed about the war and everything that's going on, on tour,' Ms Kostyuk said. Ms Kostyuk regularly posts updates on the war in her homeland and has been defiant in her criticism of Russian and Belarusian opponents since Putin's troops were sent into Ukraine last year.Īt the Australian Open in Melbourne in January, she was adamant that she would snub any competitors who did not take a clear stance against the war. Ranked number 52 entering last week, she has now risen to a career high of 40 following her win. She described the atmosphere of the event as 'one of the nicest' she had attended, adding that it had felt like a 'home tournament'. 'I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and all of the people who are fighting and dying right now.' 'Being in the position that I'm in right now it's extremely special to win this title. The Ukrainian phrase translates to 'Glory to Ukraine', and she went on to pay tribute to those fighting and living through the brutal Russian invasion. She also refused to shake hands at the US Open with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.įollowing her win last night, Ms Kostyuk was seen shaking hands with the umpire but passed her opponent by.ĭuring the trophy ceremony, the Kyiv native said: 'Everyone who is in the stands and everyone who is watching, especially in Ukraine, I want to say Slava Ukraini.' It's a very special moment 💙💛' | #ATXOpen /RKtWoGPKdP- wta March 5, 2023Īt 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. 'I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine.

Marta kostyuk v varvara gracheva